Questions over poor service at Bhomela clinic
A meeting was called, however, with a poor turn-out it was suggested that another date be set for the meeting
For months, the communities serviced by Bhomela Clinic in Wards 24 and 25 in Nyandezulu have taken to social media to say are not pleased with the facility.
People say that the treatment from the clinic staff is appalling, and sometimes they have to take taxis to other clinics for treatment.
An open day, last Friday, turned tense when community members had their say.
Ward 24 councillor Thabiso Jingela said that he was unhappy with the number of people who attended, and he blamed the organisers because he had asked them to make an announcement in the community.
“I suggest that we don’t let this meeting continue because with such a small number of people, we cannot make any decisions or speak on behalf of both wards when not even one percentage of the people are present.”
Induna Senzeni Cele said that he was not surprised at the turn of events.
“Files go missing in this clinic and it shows how careless they are. More than three files go missing a day, and they don’t see any problem with that. This clinic’s core function is to make mistakes. Staff will chat most of the day, instead of helping sick people, you can’t even tell that they are on duty. When you try to ask them, you will get an unpleasant answer and you will regret asking. Sometimes they go on teatime even before they start working. I would like the management to explain how they operate.”
Community member Elliot Mzindle said he collects his medication at the clinic, but the treatment of the elderly is shocking.
He added if you go to the clinic on a day other than the date given to you, you are told to wait until they finish with all the patients, even when you are sick.
“What disappoints me the most is they make us sit outside the gate in the morning instead of on the veranda.
They also have a tendency of holding meetings in the morning without telling us, and we sit and wait.”
Primary Health Care manager Ntombifuthi Ndwendwe apologised on behalf of the organisers and said they will take all complaints from the community members and set another date for the meeting.
She said that they will communicate better for the next meeting, so that representatives from the Department of Health are also available.
The community also asked that some of the nurses from the clinic be present, so that they can address pressing issues with them in attendance.
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