Unit 9 clinic patients welcome unannounced visit by MEC Magome Masike
North West MEC for Health Dr. Magome Masike on Wednesday, 04 June 2015 paid a visit to Mmabatho Unit 9 Clinic as part of MEC’s unannounced program. MEC Masike’s visit to the facility comes shortly after a male patient was allegedly stabbed and killed inside the clinic by a supposed friend on the 24th of May 2015.
During the visit MEC Masike said unannounced visits are a good approach in dealing with patient’s satisfaction, because they help the department to assess the level of services rendered.
He assured the staff and the patients that the government will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are safe when they are at health facilities. Masike pleaded with awaiting patients to help to end acts of criminality.
“I call on our communities to work with Police and the Department in making health facilities safe. What happened here in Unit 9 Clinic, clearly shows that we are dealing not with just a Department of Health problem but a serious societal problem where there is no respect for human life,” said MEC Dr Magome Masike.
MEC used the opportunity to engage with staff and patients on their daily experiences. “If we are to prioritize patient experience and improve the working conditions of our staff, these visits are essential. I have visited number of other facilities across the province in the past and will continue to visit others in order to see the facilities myself and to engage with staff and patients in each area,” said Dr Masike.
Dr Masike, who is a medical doctor by profession, spent few hours with nurses attending to patients at the said clinic. One of many patients attended to by Dr Masike is Kedisaletse Moepeng from the neighbouring Motlhabeng Village who brought her 12 months old baby to the clinic for flu. Kedisaletse could not contain herself after her baby was attended and assessed by Dr Masike.
“I am so happy to see MEC Masike at our clinic. I did not know that he was coming to Unit 9 Clinic today, the queue was moving very fast. I am so happy because my baby was seen by medical doctor. I am satisfied. Please come to Unit 9 Clinic again next week Dr Masike,” concluded overjoyed Kedisaletse.
Kamogelo Mpunzi of Mmabatho Extension 39 is also one of the patients seen by Dr Masike. Kamogelo also expressed her happiness about MEC Masike’s visit to Unit 9 Clinic.
“This is the day I will never forget. Now I do not have to go to a certain doctor where I will pay money I don’t have. I have been attended to by medical doctor my local clinic and I am happy. My wish is that, people could go to clinics in the areas where they reside, because if they come and flock here that makes things difficult for few nurses that we have here at Unit 9 and the queue also starts to move very slow,” said young Kamogelo Mpunzi
Masike also had a short meeting with District Managers and clinic management where he expressed his satisfaction with what he has observed.
“I am generally impressed with what I observed. I can also confirm that we have dedicated staff here at Unit 9 Clinic and generally people are happy with the services they are getting from this clinic.
“I want to ask you colleagues to continue with the good work you are doing under tough conditions due to the service pressure of the health care system in general. You are doing a great job and I am happy to be associated with dedicated servants like you.
“Of course there are few challenges like shortage of nursing staff. I am also going to ensure that the minor hiccups that I was informed of will be sorted out with immediate effect to enable our staff members to work properly and serve our people with dignity and respect they deserve,”said MEC Masike.
Masike said he will continue with his unannounced visits to other facilities in the province with a view to assess patient satisfaction and conditions of service of health professionals.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Department Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
Email: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
