Health care centre urges for use of feeder clinics
ALEXANDRA – Health centre outlines its services and urges residents to make use of other clinics as well.
The Alexandra Community Health Care Centre aka Masasane which is under the provincial government is strained by the demand for its 24/7 services.
“Residents from other townships including foreign nationals also stream to the centre for help,” said deputy manager Prudence Mapika at the annual open day which coincided with the commemoration World Aids Day.
The facility, which is a referral facility on Vincent Tshabalala Avenue, closes on weekends except for emergency cases including maternity-related ones. “The demand has been slightly eased by the increase in operational hours of up to 6 pm on weekdays and midday on weekends at the surrounding Joburg City Council’s River Park, Thoko Mngoma, East Bank and Sandown clinics.”
She said the occasion was to inform the public of the range of services they provide and to urge them to utilise the feeder clinics to avoid congestions resulting in the delay of service provision, frustrations and complaints. “They too have qualified and professional medical personnel who will only refer necessary cases.”
Their services include:
- Treatment and management support for chronic ailments also available at catchment clinics like diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV
- Adolescent youth-friendly check-ups and treatment services for those who don’t want to be seen seeking help including on HIV and family planning
- Education and check-ups for dental and eye care and cervical, breast and prostate cancer
- Family planning, treatment and advice on pregnancy management
- Male circumcision to reduce the chances of HIV infection
- Pharmacy for medication and advice on risks from some antibiotics.
Maphika also advised clients to use the free services offered by partner state agencies and non-profit organisations like:
- Police’s medico-legal service for counselling and provision of prophylaxis medicine in cases of rape
- NPOs, Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training, Lifeline, South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for counselling and advice on adherence to treatment.
