Medication dispensing programme saves time

IN an attempt to reduce the congestion in the queues at clinics and save patients time when they pick up their medication, the KZN health department has initiated a Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme.

This programme is being rolled out throughout the department’s 11 health districts. Chronic medication is for non-communicable ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, epilepsy and others like HIV/AIDS.

The Highway Mail visited the KwaDabeka Clinic to chat to the management and the patients about this programme.

Medical manager CEO at the clinic, Dr Jayshree Ramdeen said they have been running this programme since last year and seven pick up points have been opened in the Clermont and Kwadabeka area.

“The pick up points are opened within the community, it could be a hall, an NGO, a church where it will make it easier for people to fetch their medication without lining up in long queues at the clinic. This programme is convenient for our patients as well as the clinic. There is now no need for patients to leave
home very early and spend money on transport to get to the clinics or hospitals,” she said.

Ramdeen said their clinic is very small and they attend to a minimum of 28 000 people a month.

“People who are already our patients are the ones who get to fetch their medication in the external pick up points. Patients who want to be included in this programme are welcome to come to the clinic and register their details. The CCMDD programme does not prevent patients from coming to the clinic if they have any medical issue or confusion. Patients are monitored and are required to come to the clinic after six or three months, depending on their health,” said Ramdeen.

With this programme, Ramdeen said a patient can also give authority to a person to fetch his/her medication.

One of the patients, Jackson Moloi said he was pleased with this programme. “I used to take a day’s leave from work because I use to spend hours waiting in the queue. Now it only takes less than an hour to get my medication,” he said.

Patients are required to take their identity document/passport or permit to register and collect treatment. Collection dates are written on the collection card.
The patient collection card has important information at the back, guiding the patient in regards to the collection of the medicine parcel.

For any enquiries regarding the registration to collect medication, patients are urged to call the toll-free number 0800 070 070 or send a please-call-me to 073 161 7102.

Community Care Givers are able to collect medication for their patients in line with their itinerary and clinic arrangements with the patient who is not able to visit the clinic. The patients have an opportunity to register the particulars of the relative/treatment buddy who can collect the medication on their behalf should they not be able to collect it themselves.

Ramdeen urged people to visit the clinic and test for HIV/AIDS which is free.

KwaDabeka Clinic external pick up points:
Clicks – Pinecrest
St Clements Home Based Care
Sub 16
Enhlanhleni Isibani Sezwe
Muthande Society for the Aged (Clermont Clinic)
Mvuzane Hall
Baptist Church (KwaDabeka)