shocking service at clinics causes concern

MARITE – Patients at Jim Brown Clinic have complained about a number of issues concerning service at the facility.

They say they are not given proper files for their medical history, but rather pieces of paper are used to write their details and nature of illnesses.

Ms Petunia Mokoena showed Mpumalanga News the piece of paper, with her medical history, that she also had to take home after her consultation.

She said the situation was unacceptable as health facilities were supposed to keep files for patients to easily access their records on future visits. “If this thing gets lost, there are no backup records about my history,” she said.

Another patient, who said she was HIV positive, mentioned that she was turned away several times without medication.

She claimed that a nurse told her that there was nothing she could do and that she was not given an alternative date on which to fetch medication.

“I’m afraid this will delay my recovery as I have to skip medication, whereas I am supposed to properly follow-up the way I take medicine,” she said.

A health worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said it had been difficult for them to work without proper stationery and medication.

She said it was unmanageable for them because patients thought they were to blame, whereas it was the department’s responsibility to provide them with such resources.

“We are dedicated to rendering proper service to the community, but without provision from the department, it becomes difficult,” she said.

Meanwhile, patients say they are always ill-treated by the same staff who have claimed to be concerned about their well-being.

Mr Phineas Nukeri claimed that the nurses were rude to them and they screamed at the elderly when they asked questions.

“The other day, a sick child was brought here and her parents asked people in the queue if they could go in first as the youngster needed urgent attention. The people in the line agreed, but the nurses screamed at them ordering the child to go back,” he said.

The department of health was asked to comment on the complaints but none was received at the time of going to print