Zakhele Mazwandile Masango said the doctor prescribed a three-month supply of ARVs, as he is a truck driver, always on the road and sometimes out of the country. This was, therefore, done so that he doesn’t miss treatment.
However, Masango alleges that a nurse at the Boksburg Civic Clinic refused to give him three months’ supply of ARVs, only enough to last for a month. .
“I have been trying to talk sense to the nurse for a long time because I run the risk of missing my treatment if travelling,” he said.
“On February 12 I was expelled from the clinic against my wishes and without my medical file, and transferred to the Boksburg North Clinic.
“Now i’m unable to get ARVs from the Boksburg North Clinic, because I don’t have the transfer letter and the clinic is far from where I live,” said Masango.
Ekurhuleni Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said Masango was contacted telephonically on February 17, to obtain clarity on the complaint and to tender an apology.
“An investigation was conducted at the Boksburg Civic Clinic in response to the complaint and, according to the nurse, the complainant was not expelled from the clinic, but requested that he be transferred to the Boksburg North Clinic when his request for a three-month supply of medication was not granted,” he added.
This was refuted by the complainant.
Gadebe said that, in accordance with Batho Pele principles, as well as the Patients’ Rights Charter, a client has the right to utilise the health facility of his choice and, therefore, the complainant is free to use the Boksburg Civic Clinic if he chooses.
“Only one month’s supply of medication was issued to the complainant as he needed to be monitored closely, due to him having missed scheduled return dates which warranted him having to be assessed after one month,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe added that, on previous occasions, Masango had received three months’ supply of medication from the same nurse.
“Documentation indicated that the health record of Masango was transferred to the Boksburg North Clinic on February 12, but this may be reversed if requested by the complainant,” he said.
“The complainant will once again, if his condition and stock allows, be issued with a three-month supply of medication.”
