Working towards improved health care service provision, the North West Department of Health and Social Development urges the public to make use of community health centres and public clinics as the first point of entry into the health system.
This comes in the midst of overflow of patients visiting hospitals with cold cases that could have been seen and treated at a primary health level. The overflow has an effect on emergency cases. Out of every 100 patients 95 need the attention of a clinical nurse, and only five that needs hospital intervention.
Community health centres in the province have resident medical officers (doctors) who can attend to more complicated illnesses or injuries and at the clinics they have scheduled medical officers every week. There is a referral system which moves patients from clinics (primary healthcare) to hospitals as and when they need secondary or tertiary intervention. Health facilities have an excellent and regular supply of all medication. The practice of utilising the primary healthcare services as the first point of entry will reduce the unnecessary burden placed at most hospitals by community members. This will also have a positive impact on the waiting period experienced at hospitals while allowing health professionals to attend to emergencies in an efficient and effective way.
Over 200 community service nurses who were released to do mandatory community service in clinics early this year have been appointed as Professional Nurses. The nurses completed their four year nursing training studies and training from Excelsius Nursing College in Klerksdorp and Mmabatho College of Nursing.
The department continues to respond faster to improve the health status of communities through implementation of integrated health programmes, provide accessible, equitable and affordable comprehensive primary healthcare service.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane Department Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
