Patients complain about lack of glucose strips at clinic in city
The shortage of glucose strips at Rethabile Clinic has still not been resolved, although the department of health said stock would be delivered on December 8.
POLOKWANE – The shortage of glucose strips at Rethabile Clinic has still not been resolved, although the department of health said stock would be delivered on December 8.
The clinic has been without stock for more than seven months and patients with diabetes who receive their medication and diabetes testing strips from the clinic are being referred to the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.
Before a patient can receive these strips from the hospital, they reportedly need a prescription.
One of the patients, who did not wish to be named, said he went to collect his medication at the clinic last Monday, but there were no testing strips.
“I wasn’t feeling well that morning. I was lightheaded and my body felt weak. The sister at the clinic took my blood pressure and said it was fine, but when I asked her to test my glucose level, she said she couldn’t because there were no testing strips. I went to collect my medication, only to find that everything was there except for the glucose testing strips,” he said.
He said he asked the pharmacist at the clinic where his testing strips were and the pharmacist allegedly said they did not have any in stock.
“I told the pharmacist that it was not possible because in the newspaper they said the stock was delivered. She told me that their stock was never delivered. When I said I was going to the newspaper, she gave me a letter and told me to get the strips from the provincial hospital,” the patient said.
At the provincial hospital, the pharmacist allegedly refused to give the patient testing strips without a prescription from a doctor.
“I had to go back to the clinic, sit in a long queue to get my file and then wait for a long time to see the doctor to get a prescription.
“I then went back to the hospital, where I finally got a month’s supply of glucose strips,” he said.
“Some people just drink their medication without testing and this is very dangerous, because when you are not feeling well, it could be that your glucose level is too low.
“Diabetics need to test their glucose levels before taking their medication.”
By the time of going to print, the department of health was still investigating the matter and could not comment.
