Pretoria – The North West Health Department has revised its policy regarding the operating hours of clinics to cope with the amount of patients seeking treatment.
Delivering the department’s budget vote on Tuesday, Health MEC Magome Masike said clinics and community health centres would extend their operating hours, particularly those in the rural areas.
“Nine community health centres have extended their operating hours from 12 to 24 hours while Ramokoka, Moruleng, Mahikeng Gateway, Lonely Park, Setlopo, Iketleng, Magogwe, Rapulana, Tsetse, Bakhubung, Modderkuil and Koedoesrand clinics have extended their services from eight to 12 hours daily,” said the MEC.
He said the department will allocate 126 community service professional nurses to needy areas to cater for extended hours of service by the third quarter of 2014/15.
MEC Masike said the department has made significant strides in dealing with the shortage of health professionals in the province.
“We have significantly increased intake of students to be trained as doctors in Cuba. In 2011 we only managed to send 11. We sent 97 in 2012 and in 2013 we increased the number significantly to 180,” MEC Masike said.
The department aims to keep the intake above 100 in 2014/15 financial year.
The department has also teamed up with the Wits Initiative for Rural Health Education (WIRHE) to produce health professionals through its scholarship programme and the Clinical Associates programme.
About 39 graduates who received bursaries through the programme are now serving in the province.
“They are a very positive clinical presence, helping with quality care for daily patients in the emergency and outpatient departments, and assisting with procedures in the wards and operating theatres,” Masike said.
The WIRHE Scholarship programme funds disadvantaged students to study for health professional degrees. There are currently 55 students undergoing training at Wits, Medunsa and Pretoria universities.
Added to this, the Tlhabane and Mathibestad Community health centres in the Bojanala District have been completed and will start operating during the current financial year.
“This will further bring much needed relief to Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital patient influx as these new facilities will come with comprehensive package of care,” said the MEC.
The department has also completed construction of the Tweelingspan/ Matsheng, Buxton, Magogwe, Mosweu, Lekgopung and Madibe a Makgabana clinics and Brits Hospital is now fully functional.
“These new infrastructure development projects have resulted in increased access to health services by users and nearby villages.
“Brits Hospital alone has ensured increased access to a complete package of district hospital services for the nearly 450 000 population of Madibeng Sub District while at the same time minimising interprovincial transfer of patients who need generalist clinical care,” MEC Masike said.
Four new clinics are planned for Weltevreden, Madikwe, Mmakaunyane and Maqwasie Hills. – SAnews.gov.za
