While some primary health clinics will close at 1pm on Friday, 22 December, Ekurhuleni Municipality’s 24-hour community health care centres will continue operating throughout the festive season.
“Primary health care clinics that operate during normal working hours will only be open from 27 to 29 December and will be functioning with skeleton staff. However, Ekurhuleni residents can continue enjoying the convenience that comes with the city’s extended hours programme, and 28 clinics have already implemented this across Ekurhuleni,” municipal spokesperson Themba Gadebe said.
The municipality also urged patients to plan in advance for routine check-ups at clinics before the start of the festive season, as this will ensure that they receive treatment and medication.
The health care centres that operate 24-hours are Daveyton Main Community Day Centre in Daveyton, KwaThema Community Health Centre in KwaThema, Nokuthela Ngwenya Community Health Centre in Nigel, Phillip Moyo Community Health Centre in Etwatwa, Esangweni Community Health Centre in Edenvale, Ethafeni Midwife Obstetric Unit in Tembisa 1, Jabulane Dumane Community Health Centre in Vosloorus, Pholapark Community Health Centre in Thokoza and Ramokonopi Community Health Centre in Katlehong 2.
Extra care in food preparation
Meanwhile, the City of Ekurhuleni urged residents to practise precautionary measures when preparing food.
This comes after the National Health Department announced an outbreak of Listeriosis throughout the country.
Listeriosis is food poisoning caused by eating foods contaminated with the Listeria Monocytogenes bacterium. The bacterium is found in vegetation, soil, water and some animals, including poultry and cattle.
Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhoea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.
“Seek medical help should you experience any of these symptoms after consuming unpasteurised foods,” the municipality said. – SAnews.gov.za
