TEMBISA Health Care Centre in Emkhathini Section is one of the first 10 primary healthcare facilities in Ekurhuleni to receive a medicine pick-up point.
The City of Ekurhuleni has successfully implemented 10 such points at identified clinics for patients on chronic medication. This is part of the city’s programme to decongest its health facilities and reduce waiting times, Themba Gadebe, metro spokesman, said.
“On average 60% of patients visiting primary healthcare facilities across Ekurhuleni are stable patients only there to collect their chronic medication. Ideally these patients should not be queuing for long to receive their prescription,” he added.
Stable patients are those who have undergone a minimum of six medical reviews and their medical records confirm their adherence to the medication. Once a health practitioner has given the go-ahead for a patient to collect their prescription, a consent form will be signed to be enrolled to collect their two months’ treatment from a pick-up point at an identified health facility.
The operating hours for the pick-up points are from 7am to 4.30pm.
“Patients will no longer have to miss work just to collect their medication as this newly introduced programme accommodates those wishing to collect their medication before heading to work. We, however, encourage stable patients on chronic medication to still visit the health facilities for reviews should they have any other ailments,” said Gadebe.
The municipality is currently in the process of identifying additional sites outside the premises of primary healthcare for patients to conveniently collect their medication closer to their homes.
The other nine facilities currently offering the service are in Daveyton (3), Actonville (1), Phola Park (1), Katlehing (3) and one more in Tembisa.
