By: Natasha Archary
A Hillbrow nursing home which caters to 72 frail-care patients is set to close at the end of March due to lack of funding.
Tswelopele Frail Care Centre, a non-profit organisation has been operating for the past 17-years.
Providing 24-hour residential frail care, social services, respite care, and safety beds for frail and disabled patients.
Patients now have no alternative accommodation as the Department of Social Development has failed to provide a solution.
DA Gauteng social development spokesperson Bronwynn Engelbrecht said the department has once again shown a lack of empathy.
“Once again, the department has shown that it has no empathy for the destitute that are solely dependent on the government for survival. It is sad as the department constantly underspends on its budget and hundreds of thousands of rands that are returned to Treasury could have been used to rescue NPOs and NGOs in dire need of financial assistance.”
DA Gauteng social development spokesperson Bronwynn Engelbrecht
Engelbrecht said they have been in communication with the department since 2019 regarding the Hillbrow nursing home.
The nursing home is faced with a severe financial challenge as it is unable to pay rental fees, and currently owes R 3 million.
Tswelopele receives a subsidy from the department but can no longer afford the rental fees. Alternative accommodation is urgently required for the 72 patients.
Over 55 staff members will also be left jobless at the end of the month when Tswelopele closes its doors.
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