Orchards Clinic closed for renovations, still no respite for patients
JOBURG - AFTER a number of complaints from local residents about the closure of Orchards Clinic, it seems a resolution on is on the way.
Nkosinathi Nkabinde, communication specialist of City of Johannesburg told North Eastern Tribune that Orchards Clinic has been closed due to the construction of a new state-of-the-art clinic as part of the Louis Botha Corridors of Freedom Development in Orange Grove with the intention of providing improved access and better quality service.
She said R45 million had been budgeted for the new health centre which will have18 consultation rooms in a bid to improve the delivery of comprehensive primary health care in the area. The new clinic is to be built in line with the National Health Core Standards and the National Health Insurance (NHI) requirements and will also accommodate the Environmental Health Services. It is set to be completed next year.
The City of Johannesburg had identified Patterson Park Community Centre and the FNB Building as possible locations to accommodate a temporary mobile clinic. However, after the City of Johannesburg performed a health assessment, it was found that both were unfeasible.
Patients have been advised to visit nearby clinics such as Hillbrow, Yeoville and Alexandra while the clinic is being renovated. Patients have however been refused help on numerous occasions, with staff from the clinics indicating that they have been instructed by health departments not to help patients from Orchards Clinic.
Nkabinde said, “We have taken all necessary measures to ensure that we minimise the negative impact to patient care, we also apologise for the inconvenience caused – which will be temporary.”
Nkabine advised all patients who are allegedly being turned away from other clinics to report those instances with the names of the officials who are turning them away to the Primary Health Care in the City of Johannesburg Directorate so that necessary measures can be instituted against those officials.
Nurses from nearby clinics are also conducting outreach visits to old-age homes around the area to monitor patients and supply chronic medication.
Details: City of Johannesburg Primary Health Care Directorate 011 407 6840; Region E Deputy Director’s Office 011 582 1504.
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