​Lerato Mailoane
To improve service delivery at primary healthcare centres, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko, facilities in Soweto to inspect service delivery capabilities.
The visit follows concerns raised at a recent Ntirihisano community outreach programme led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi in Zola.
The community expressed dissatisfaction with service delivery at the meeting, including medication shortages and nurses' bad attitudes.
MEC Nkomo Ralehoko's day started at Chiawelo Community Healthcare Centre, where she engaged with the facility's management and community leaders on interventions needed to improve healthcare services.
This was followed by Tladi Clinic, Zola Clinic and Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital on interventions needed to improve the patient care experience. The MEC also met with labour unions representing staff at the hospital.
"The healthcare centres I visited today services a lot of people daily. My visit to these institutions is to motivate staff to improve patient safety and care. 
"When we have problems, we must immediately intervene and ensure concerns are addressed."
Community members raised various concerns, such as staff shortages and attitude, operating hours, long queues, and patients being turned away without receiving medication. 
"This is a recurring issue at all the visits…we have long queues outside the clinic daily. We request a waiting area for patients who come daily from 4 am till the clinic is opened at 7 am, especially in the rainy season and winter," said a community member who wanted to remain anonymous. 
In response, the MEC acknowledged that there are challenges in retaining health professionals, waiting times, regular supply of medicines and long queues.
"These are receiving ongoing attention. To truly improve the performance of the public health system," said Nkomo Ralehoko.
The MEC also called on the district health officials in attendance to ensure that funded posts were filled without further delays.