Nestled in Els Street, Elsburg, is the Elsburg Clinic.<\/p>\n
This clinic services not only the areas included in Ward 39, but Granceland, Ramaphosa and a number of other catchment areas as well.<\/p>
\u201cThe clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm,\u201d explained clinic manager Busi Langa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are closed on the weekends and public holidays but otherwise we are open.\u201d<\/p>
The clinic offers primary health care services which include HIV testing and counselling, management and control of tuberculosis, management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), management of HIV\/Aids and antiretrovirals (ARVs), cervical cancer screenings, prostate cancer screenings, as well as other basic health services.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur service package also includes antenatal, family planning and children\u2019s basic check-ups and immunisations,\u201d explained Busi.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also deal with chronic diseases and their associated medications and primary mental health care.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clinic also has a social worker who is available on Thursdays and a doctor who is available on Mondays on Thursdays.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Mondays the doctor comes in the morning and on Thursdays in the afternoons,\u201d said Busi.<\/p>\n
The clinic attempts to alleviate over-crowding at the facility through an appointment system, which is especially implemented in the case of chronic disease patients and expecting mothers and children.<\/p>\n
\u201cThough Mondays and Tuesday seem to remain the busiest days for us, we are trying our utmost to stop over-crowding with our booking system,\u201d said Busi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe booking system was first implemented last year when I came to the clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen some improvement in the facility with the appointment system in place, but some people still believe that if they come early in the morning they will been seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Busi is happy to say that the clinic is not faced with many problems as they maintain open communication with the patients at the clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we are having delays for whatever reason we let the patients know and by the afternoon we have seen our patients,\u201d said Busi.<\/p>\n
If the community does have problems or complaints there is a complaints system in place to help deal with the issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clinic\u2019s complaint system can be found on posters on the walls,\u201d said Busi.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if there is a complaint the first person the complainant needs to speak is a manager, which is me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I am not here then they can speak to the second in command.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also complaint forms which need to be filled in, and we encourage the complainant to fill in their full names and contact details so we can reach them to resolve the issue, within seven days.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clinic also has a clinic committee, made up of Thandiwe Takawira (chairperson), Prince Rulashe (deputy chairperson), Thato Mokoena (secretary), Thato Mosime (deputy chairperson), Elize Jacobs (committee member), Jane Sibiya (community worker), Comfort Phiri (health promoter), Xoliswa Mgulwa (committee member) and Izelle Senol (health ward committee member).<\/p>\n
The committee helps the clinic to educate the community about the clinic and its functions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we encounter any problems or if the community encounters any problems the clinic committee is there to help us overcome them,\u201d explained Busi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey help us reach out to our community and to improve our services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with people can be difficult, but you need to be patient and you always need to do the best you can, and together we do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
To reach the clinic you can call 011 999 0352.<\/p>\n