The decision of private pathology company, Lancet Laboratories Pathology Services to close its Alexandra branch has sparked outrage among local doctors and the community.
This was after the pathology company informed local doctors that their patients who were often sent to the facility for different pathology services will have to travel more than seven kilometres to get these services.
Charmain Paynee who has been working in Alexandra as a general practitioner for more than 25 years said, “I really don’t understand why the company is closing the lab that the community needs so much. This will have a negative impact on us as local doctors and the public at large. It is also a clear indication that private companies have their interest in money and not helping people.
“Our patients will have to travel to other places and lose one day of work due to this reckless decision made by the company. This is evidence that the private sector is reluctant to play a role in [lessening] inequality in the country.”
In response, the marketing manager at Lancet Laboratories Sandile Sihlaba said, “Due to economic reasons we had to close doors of one of our branches in Alexandra township and our employees were moved to other Lancet Laboratories facilities. However, we have ensured that the nearest Lancet branch is situated within 7.5 km radius [of Alex], at Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital. We also have surrounding branches located in Tembisa (Zamukuhle hospital) Edenvale and Sandton, just to mention a few.”
Sihlaba added that the company would continue to support and play an active role in empowering the communities they operated in by venturing into public-private partnerships in Alex to sustain community development and raise health awareness.
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