These were the Phola Park Community Health Centre, in Thokoza, and the DJ Dumane Clinic, in Vosloorus.
The aim of the unannounced visit was for the MEC to experience what patients go through when they seek medical attention at their local clinics, and also to assist managers in finding solutions for the challenges they are facing, in order to improve service delivery.
Mahlangu emphasised the importance of treating all patients with respect to all health workers, from cleaners, queue marshals and nurses, to security guards and doctors.
She said the staff’s attitude has to change.
“No patient should be abused just because they have no choice but to seek medical care in public health facilities,” she said.
Mahlangu stressed that services must be tailor-made to suit patient needs.
“Some of the patients have to go to work, so they can’t be sitting 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,” she said.
The challenges that were common in these facilities were long waiting times and staff attitudes. – @CarmenBoksburg
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