Lusikisiki - There has been no development at the site where the Provincial Department of Health (DoH) was supposed to erect a temporary clinic in the place of the Village Clinic which was closed down at the end of October because of outstanding rent debt owed by the department.

During a meeting on November 12 between the DoH, the local municipality, Public Works, the Treatment Action Campaign and members of the community, it was decided to erect a new structure about 500m from the previous clinic building. But by early December there has not been any development at the site, even though the DoH said at the meeting in November that health services would be available from the new clinic by December 3.

"Community members are anxious to know what is going to happen," said Novangeli Luthi, a concerned resident.

The DoH has not been available for comment.

Members of the community are up in arms about the large amount of money spent by the Local AIDS Council on World AIDS Day celebrations, while no funds are available for a new clinic.

Thandeka Vinjwa is an OurHealth Citizen Journalist reporting from Lusikisiki in the OR Tambo health district in the Eastern Cape.