Clinic denies medication shortage claims
The clinic was unable to dispense Disprin, further fuelling anxiety for these patients who are unable to afford private medical care.
The Pretoria North clinic in Jack Hindon Street refuted allegations that it had any problems with dispensing medication in recent weeks.
“We’ve always had medication available,” said facility manager Sister Bella Lekoma.
This after it was claimed that patients, most of whom were said to be state pension recipients, were not receiving all of their medication at the clinic.
Lekoma also explained they had measures in place to ensure their patients did not run out of medication.
“Pharmacy assistants order medication monthly as needed. Emergency orders are made during the month to request medication from other clinics if our regional facility is out of stock,” she said.
Lekoma further said that customer care was also always practiced on bathopele [the people first] principles.
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Allegations of a shortage at the facility were made by the DA’s Thaba Mogale constituency head Adrianna Randall.
Randall said they were inundated with complaints from patients who claimed it was now the third month where they had not received their medication, including critical chronic medication.
“This week alone, the clinic was unable to dispense Disprin, further fuelling anxiety for patients unable to afford private medical care,” she said.
Lekoma, however, denied this saying they had never been unable to dispense Disprin.
Randall further said they had been “reliably” informed that the alleged shortage of medication was due to “pure negligence” by the clinic’s management who forgot to order medication for the month of February.
“In addition, patients are complaining that the staff at the clinic have no regard for them. The elderly and mothers have to wait for hours on end to be helped.”
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