Patients facing long dispensary queues at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital will soon see relief through a dedicated satellite pharmacy.

The proposed measures follow a recent executive walkabout led by COO Dr Fhatuwani Mbara, which identified overcrowding and medication dispensing delays as major challenges.

According to Mbara, the regular walkabouts allow hospital management to engage directly with patients and staff, identify operational challenges at the point of care and implement practical solutions.

“The proposed satellite pharmacy will specifically serve the Medical Outpatient Department and speciality clinics.

“It will allow patients to collect their medication closer to their consultation rooms instead of joining the queues at the hospital’s main pharmacy,” said Mbara.

During the walkabout, pharmacy congestion emerged as the primary concern. In response, Mbara announced plans to recruit an additional 15 pharmacy assistants on 12-month contracts.

“The staff will help expedite the dispensing of repeat prescriptions, allowing patients to collect their medication and return home sooner,” he said.

The hospital is also considering appointing 10 courtesy officers on 12-month contracts across various clinics.

These officers will identify elderly, frail and vulnerable patients who struggle with long queues and collect medication on their behalf, allowing them to return home with minimal waiting after their appointments.

Mbara said the hospital’s academic status and broad patient base contribute significantly to the pressure on its facilities.

“As an academic hospital, we receive patients across a wide range of categories, and the demand on our services is significant. The pharmacy is under considerable pressure, with overcrowding being one of the major challenges identified during our Gemba walk,” he noted.

Hospital tackles mobility and heat challenges

The walkabout also highlighted a shortage of wheelchairs at the geriatric clinic, where elderly patients raised concerns about limited mobility support.

The hospital management committed to fast-tracking the procurement of additional wheelchairs to improve accessibility for patients who struggle to move around the facility.

Emphasising the importance of the walkabouts in improving service delivery, Mbara said direct observation allows management to respond immediately to challenges.

“These walkabouts help us map the way forward in responding quickly to the challenges we identify. The insights we gain also inform our broader strategic efforts to improve service delivery,” he said.

He added that the executive team conducts the walkabouts every Wednesday morning before its scheduled executive meeting.

The team then returns to the boardroom to deliberate on observations and determine immediate interventions.

Apart from pharmacy-related concerns, the hospital is also addressing health risks associated with recent high temperatures.

Management has identified wards where cooling systems are malfunctioning and initiated plans to install additional air-conditioning units as an immediate priority.

The proposed interventions form part of the hospital’s efforts to improve patient experience, accessibility and the quality of services provided to the communities it serves.

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