Step-down clinic saved

Following queries from the Courier and Mayor Mahaye, that there was direct intervention from the Premier’s office to allow the Talana Stepdown clinic to continue to operate.

Earlier, patients and the community feared the worse, with the news that the Talana Step-down Clinic may have to close following the reluctance of the Department of Health to renew the licence.

Dr Jan Fourie, who established the clinic some years ago, said previously he had always been granted a license in terms of legislation, but this year has been unable to receive it simply because tardy Health Department officials do not respond to his letters or calls.

“The only response I get is that the particular official is not in the office. This has been going on since January.”

Dr Fourie told the Courier that the biggest problem is that the medical aid companies are pressurising him, threatening not to honour claims for his practice until they receive his 2014 licence. The Courier received the information from a patient, Nhlanhla Makhoba, who was admitted to the clinic for chest problem. 
He fears that he will not get any medicine as the clinic is going to be closed. Dr Fourie confirmed that the clinic might close following the reluctance of the Department of Health to renew his licence. 

“We comply with all the issues raised in order to comply with regulation P158. At the present we are being pressurised by the medical aid companies to forward the 2014 licence. The Courier contacted the KZN Health Department’s communication officer in Pietermaritzburg, but up until now there has been no response to queries.