In an effort to reduce the pressure on tertiary institutions, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development would like to urge the citizens of Gauteng to present themselves at their local clinics for treatment and they will be referred to hospitals when in need of specialised care.
To strengthen primary healthcare and ensure that quality healthcare is provided, the department has since last year extended service hours at some community health centres (CHCs) up to 24 hours.
To beef up personnel at clinics, 34 out of 35 community health centres (i.e. Khutsong CHC) have resident doctors and 248 out of 318 fixed clinics are supported by a doctor at least once a week.
Family physicians have been deployed from tertiary hospitals to strengthen district hospitals and primary healthcare facilities (PHC).
All community health centres and clinics now provide services for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy tuberculosis (TB) and those on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
In addition, the department has the Kgatelopele project to reduce waiting times at all public health facilities. This project ensures the delivery of chronic medication to patients at their homes.
Community health workers test these patients and they only visit facilities once in six months for an examination by a doctor unless they have complications.
However, the department acknowledges that there are challenges in the retention of health professionals, waiting times, regular supply of medicines and monitoring of non-profit organisations and these are receiving ongoing attention in order to truly improve the performance of the public health system.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Sello Mokoena
Cell: 082 331 0786
Community urged to use clinics
Province
