Just recently around 11:30, I visited our mobile clinic in Mayberry Park about three kilometres from my house.
I needed some medication for mild flu symptoms.
As soon as I got out of my car, I noticed about three people at the clinic.
Before I could even explain my case, the driver told me they were on lunch and would only assist after two hours. I tried to persuade them to at least administer something that could ease the sore throat but he persisted and would not cooperate at all.
You could tell he was more interested in his ‘lunch’ than to serve. I don’t think we need such people, we honestly don’t. We need people who will go beyond their call of duty, not selfish and inconsiderate ones like the ones I met.
It’s despicable, and his attitude alone was rigid and insensitive even after threatening to report this matter he simply wouldn’t care as long as he had his ‘lunch’.
It wasn’t going to take even five minutes to assist me. I would like our health department to kindly look closely into such cases.
We need caring and considerate hearts, especially in the ministry of health, not those who will ‘enjoy their lunch’ when they could be changing lives.
Lunch will come, loving and caring is what’s needed, especially in the health department, not selfish and self-centred people, no sir!
Dr Maureen Tsotetsi
CoE’s response
Zweli Dlamini, the City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson, said it was reported that the client arrived at the mobile point after all patients were consulted and the staff was on their lunch break.
“The mobile staff requested her to wait patiently and informed her that she will be consulted after a few minutes. The client insulted them and left without consultation. On arrival at the mobile point, staff attends to patients and goes on lunch when all clients are consulted,” he said.
According to Dlamini, clients who came before the staff started their meal were prioritised.
“On the day, the mobile staff thought it will be understood that consultation will commence after because they were already on lunch. It was unfortunate that the client did not provide her contact number to redress the complaint,” he explained.
The chief professional nurse at Brackenhurst Clinic has promised to implement a lunchtime schedule at the mobile clinic to prevent future recurrence.
Dlamini said the complainant will be continuously traced to resolve the complaint.
