‘If you can walk and talk, it is not for the emergency room’ – Pholosong Hospital

Tsakane – Oniccah Mokoena is committed to helping the public access the services offered at Pholosong Hospital.

“We still struggle to get people to understand that the hospital emergency room does not cater for everything they feel is an emergency.”

Mokoena, area manager for Accidents and Emergency at Pholosong Hospital, says the community needs to make good use of clinics.

“Clinics provide primary health care and most people can really resolve their ailments there without coming to the emergency room.”

She explains most of the people who spend hours waiting will receive quicker treatment if they go to the closest public clinic.

“Casualty has priorities.

“I always say, if you can walk and talk, it is not for the emergency room.”

Mokoena says staff prioritise patients who have been assaulted, are victims of car accidents, have broken limbs, have ingested poison, have a suspected heart attack or anyone experiencing unexpected bleeding.

“There are frequent cases of defaulters.”

Defaulters are patients who are meant to take medication for extended periods but they stop before they are advised to.

“If you stop taking your medication and then you feel sick, you must still go back to the clinic.”

A spike in admissions occurs during winter months and school holidays.

“We understand children get hurt when they are not at school, but parents also use the hospital as a day care centre.

The same is true for the elderly.

They get sent here sometimes just so that their caregivers can take a break.”

She believes the system will benefit the community if they trust the health care practitioners and follow their advice.

“I cannot emphasis enough how important it is for people to go to their local clinics.

“Kwathema and Tsakane Main clinics are open twenty-four hours a day.”