Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has read the riot act to staff members at two clinics in Ekurhuleni, where several complaints have been received from the public.
The MEC on Thursday made unannounced visits to Phola Park Community Health Centre in Thokoza and the DJ Dumane Clinic in Vosloorus, after receiving complaints from the public.
The aim of the visits was for the MEC to experience what patients go through when they seek medical attention at their local clinics. It was also to assist managers in finding solutions for the challenges they face in order to improve service delivery.
At both health facilities, MEC Mahlangu emphasised the importance of treating all patients with respect.
“Staff attitudes have to change. No patient should be abused just because they have no choice but to seek medical care in public health facilities.”
She also stressed that services must be tailor-made to suit patient needs.
“Some of the patients have to go to work so they can’t sit in queues for long hours. Some are diabetic and they need to eat regularly. Some don’t even have to be at the clinic, medication can be delivered to their homes.”
At Phola Park Clinic, the MEC discovered that patients at this 24-hour facility have to arrive as early as 3am to be seen. They wait outside the gates, in the cold until 7:30 am when day shift nurses arrive.
“No patient must freeze in the cold waiting for a clinic gate to be opened, especially in a 24-hour facility. Patients must be able to go in and receive treatment provided by night shift staff,” said MEC Mahlangu.
She also instructed district health officials to visit a clinic once a week so challenges can be identified and managed before patients are negatively affected.
MEC Mahlangu received positive feedback at the Dental Clinic at Phola Park and at the Maternal Obstetric Unit at DJ Dumane clinic. Both facilities were also clean.
Staff attitude and long waiting times were the challenges that were common in both facilities. – SAnews.gov.za
