A relatively small clinic on the outskirts of Bloemfontein in the Free State has proven that any wel-run and managed facility can make a positive impact in a community. Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) visited the Laurie Park clinic as part of the Taking Parliament to the People programme, which officially began on Monday, with members visiting several health facilities in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu and Bloemfontein.
The delegation was led by NCOP Member Ms Tasneem Motara who, together with other members, was very impressed after conducting a site visit to the clinic. The clinic is combined with a local library and on occasional makes one of its buildings available for community meetings. In the past there was talk of turning this unused building into a crèche.
Mr Willem Farber, a Member of the NCOP, urged that this matter be considered. “There’s always a need in communities such as these to have facilities for kids. If this can be used for that then I suggest the municipality should look into it”, he said.
The clinic staff assists on average 700 patients per month from a population of about seven thousand people. The clinic has very limited space and resources. There are only two consulting rooms and the waiting period for each patient is between two to three hours. Mr Andries Leeuw, the facility manager, says they are able to attend to every patient. “We treat about five patients who are on anti-retroviral treatment per month, we also see TB patients”, he said.
Mr Leeuw assured the members that their tuberculosis patients do not come into contact with other patients in the small waiting area at the clinic.
The clinic staff consists of two professional nurses, two administration clerks and one cleaner. “We also don’t have a resident pharmacist so we treat patients and dispense medication as well,” said Mr Leeuw.
Sakhile Mokoena
22 August 2017
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