Pretoria - North West MEC for Health Magome Masike this week paid an unannounced visit to the Mmabatho Unit 9 Clinic to assess the level of services rendered as well as check on security measures.
MEC Masike’s visit to the facility comes after a male patient was allegedly stabbed and killed inside the clinic by a supposed friend last month.
During the visit, MEC Masike assured the staff and patients that government will do whatever it takes to ensure they are safe when they are at health facilities.
He pleaded with those who attended the clinic for consultations to help end acts of criminality. “I call on our communities to work with the police and the department in making health facilities safe.”
The MEC used the visit to engage with staff and patients on their daily experiences.
“If we are to prioritise patient experience and improve the working conditions of our staff, these visits are essential.
“I have visited a number of other facilities across the province in the past and will continue to visit others in order to see the facilities myself and to engage with staff and patients in each area,” he said.
MEC Masike, who is a medical doctor by profession, spent a few hours with nurses attending to patients.
One of the many patients was Kedisaletse Moepeng from the neighbouring Motlhabeng village. She had brought her one-year-old to the clinic with suspected flu.
Kedisaletse could not contain herself after her baby was attended and assessed by the MEC.
“I am so happy because my baby was seen to. I am satisfied. Please come to Unit 9 Clinic again next week Dr Masike,” urged Moepeng.
Kamogelo Mpunzi from Mmabatho Extension 39 was also seen by MEC Masike.
“This is the day I will never forget. Now I do not have to go to a certain doctor where I will pay money I don’t have. I have been attended to by medical doctor my local clinic and I am happy.
“My wish is that people could visit clinics in the areas where they reside because if they come and flock here it makes things difficult for the few nurses that we have at Unit 9 and the queue also starts to move very slow,” said Mpunzi.
MEC Masike had a short meeting with district managers and clinic management where he expressed his satisfaction with what he had observed.
“I can confirm that we have dedicated staff here at Unit 9 Clinic and people are happy with the services they are getting.
“I want to ask you colleagues to continue with the good work you are doing under tough conditions due to the service pressure of the health care system in general. You are doing a great job and I am happy to be associated with dedicated servants like you,” he told the staff.
He said the minor hiccups he had been informed about during his visit would be sorted out immediately. – SAnews.gov.za
