Workers at Mandeni Shopping Centre, north of KwaZulu-Natal, are calling for urgent intervention to Sinikithemba Clinic, saying the facility is too small, poorly equipped and struggling to cope with demand.
The small clinic, which operates inside the shopping centre, was established more than a decade ago as an extension of Sundumbili Clinic. It was meant to make healthcare easier to access for retail workers, taxi operators, and informal traders, who often cannot leave work during the day.
But patients and workers say the under-resourced clinic is struggling to cope with demand.
Clinic in a container
Sinikithemba Clinic provides essential services, such as antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), men’s health services, and treatment for minor ailments.
But workers say the clinic is housed in a shipping container with little ventilation and too few resources to meet people’s needs. They claim the clinic is unable to handle minor illnesses such as headaches or basic blood tests.
“I have been working here for seven years, and this clinic has helped me a lot,” says Thabisile Nsele (45), a street vendor.
“But the problem is that they cannot even check blood pressure properly because they don’t have enough resources.”
Patients say the condition at the clinic makes it difficult for staff to work efficiently and for people to get help quickly.
Long queues, medicine shortages
Others raised concerns about overcrowding, long waiting times and a shortage of medication.
“It’s always full. There’s a long queue, and sometimes people leave without being assisted,” Mandla Mtshali (68), a taxi rank manager.
He says the waiting times discourage men from seeking medical care, leading to many neglecting their health.
“Most men are busy with the taxis. We thought having the facility here would make a difference, but it doesn’t really assist because most men complain about the long queue. And whenever we go, there is a shortage of medication,” he says.
Research has shown that men are generally less likely to use health services regularly and often delay seeking care. Many delay seeking care, a major concern in South Africa, where HIV and tuberculosis remain major public health challenges.
A lifeline for workers
For some patients who work, however, the clinic remains an essential service.
Hlengiwe Mqadi, who works at the shopping centre, says Sinikithemba Clinic helps workers who do not easily get time off to collect chronic medication elsewhere.
“The clinic may be small, but it does help. It could do much more if it were properly developed and supported,” says Mqadi.
Patients and workers are now appealing to the Department of Health and other stakeholders to intervene and improve the facility.
The Department of Health did not respond to Health-e News’ media query by the time of publication. – Health-e News
