Upper South Coast PHC health clinics in ‘recovery’

FOLLOWING last week’s article on the state of local clinics in the Amanzimtoti area, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesman Msawakhe Mayisela has assured the public that matters pertaining to these vital health facilities are receiving attention.

Read about the issues: No clean bill of health for Amanzimtoti’s primary healthcare clinics

Mayisela explained the issue concerning Kingsburgh clinic, which is rapidly succumbing to a termite infestation, is linked to maintenance.

The termite problem was referred to the senior administration manager for the health unit to handle.

“With regards to Athlone Park, this clinic is very small as it operates from Athlone Park library. Like all fixed municipal clinics, the operating times are 7.30am to 4pm. While it is not uncommon that patients choose to come very early to book their spaces in the queue, this practise is always discouraged as staff normally report on duty from 7am onwards,” said Mayisela.

“In order to deal with the congestion, the clinic has recently been re-arranged to try and make up for space. The mother and child services have been moved to the park home at the back of the main building. An appointment system has been implemented where possible, in a bid to reduce waiting times. There have been challenges all along with finding Centralised Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) pick-up points in the area but arrangements are now being finalised.

This will help to further decant chronic patients by allowing them to fetch chronic medication at a CCMDD point away from the clinic but closer to the community. The office of the acting deputy city manager is in the process of procuring a park home to provide more space at Athlone Park.”

Focusing on the Amanzimtoti clinic, Mayisela said: “Despite the fact that staff have to take vacation leave in terms of their employment conditions and that managers have to attend meetings as and when required, there has been an unfortunate delay in the recruitment and selection process within the health unit,” said Mayisela.

Amanzimtoti clinic, where only two of four sisters were available when Cllr Andre Beetge visited the facility last month, is awaiting the office of the Head of Health and Human Resources to finalise the appointment of professional nurses to fill two vacant positions.

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