The doctor’s practice in Skukuza is up for Tender. Whoever wins the tender will have a 5-year contract with SANParks. The community of Skukuza, The Kruger National Park and surrounding private reserves are concerned that with such a short contract, the practice will not be developed nor equipment upgraded, as this period is too short to encourage or recoup capital investment. We believe that a minimum of 10 to 15 years will ensure that the practice is able to keep pace with technology and equipment.

Furthermore, there is concern at having doctor’s change so frequently as many long-term employees and other patients need continuity in their ongoing care, particularly for chronic conditions. Also the wealth of knowledge and familiarity built up around localised issues (such as malaria, tick bite fever etc.) is diluted with frequent changes in doctors.

It is also a serious concern that Dr. Julia Dabrowski, a much loved, dedicated, and extremely competent doctor could be lost to the community during this tender process. Dr. Julia goes above and beyond ensuring home visits, meals, and shopping for Covid patients, and has been involved in numerous community initiatives. She is an employee and not a partner in the practice. The community requests that SANParks makes it a condition of the tender that all employees in the practice are guaranteed employment during the changeover regardless of who is awarded the tender (this may already be the case, but if it's not we need to make sure we don't lose our stalwart).

This petition is in no way meant to be disparaging toward SANParks, an organisation which I hold in high esteem. It is simply a platform to have our community's voice heard. It is also not done in conjunction with. or with the knowledge of, any participants in the tender process; nor intended to influence the process.