Challenges fail to halt determined clinic staff
Sister Kunene said the staff is doing their best to service the community, even with the challenges they face ever day.
Despite daily challenges, the staff at the Bez Valley Clinic is determined to provide health care to the community.
“The infrastructure is our first challenge – because we need more staff. More staff will result in a need for more space. We don’t have space.
“We are unable to properly accommodate our patients. Children visit the clinic for immunization and they have to sit with patients who are sick. That is not supposed to happen,” said Bez Valley operational manager, Sister Alice Kunene.
The clinic serves a large number of residents from Bez valley, Kensington, Bertrams, Malvern, Observatory, Yeoville, and the surrounding areas. This is putting the clinic under pressure as they do not have enough staff and facilities.
During the EXPRESS‘ visit to the clinic last week, it was crowded and some patients were waiting outside.
Sister Kunene said the staff is doing their best to service the community, even with the challenges they face ever day.
“Most patients cannot afford health care. The clinic is in need of more consulting rooms, bigger waiting areas, professional nurses, health promoters, medical doctors and social workers.
“We have been asking for assistance from the department of health and we were promised assistance,” said Sister Kunene.
She said despite the ongoing challenges, clinic staff work together as a team and support each other.
Even with the challenges, the patients are happy with the service they receive, even though the waiting period is long.
“We always make sure we have a positive attitude and communicate with our patients about everything – from waiting periods to shortages of medication and any other challenges at the time. The patients understand because they have been properly informed,” said Sister Kunene.
