Johannesburg’s Randburg Clinic is sagging beneath the weight of limited resources and growing patient numbers, resulting in long waits in overcrowded conditions and regular medication stockouts.
With only one doctor to serve 350 to 400 patients daily, the facility’s ability to deliver quality care is increasingly being compromised, reports Randburg News, with the situation exacerbated by an influx of foreign nationals, raising questions about healthcare accessibility and the province’s response to rising pressures on public services.
Around 70% of the 12 000 recorded patient files belong to foreign nationals, placing additional strain on a facility already overwhelmed by local demand.
Despite this, the clinic has only one doctor who sees patients twice a week, leaving the remaining staff to handle the overwhelming volumes.
Staff shortages are compounded by inadequate medication supplies. Although the clinic receives its regular allocation of medicines, stocks often dry up before month-end, requiring urgent reordering. A nurse said they sometimes have to place two orders per month, further highlighting the systemic issues with resource management.
The medical records system relies on outdated filing methods, lacking the infrastructure for digital or eHealth systems, which has resulted in two rooms of physical files, with an estimated 12 000 records. Without Wi-Fi or modern technology to assist with record-keeping, staff struggle to manage the increasing patient load efficiently.
The high number of foreign nationals relying on the clinic has sparked concerns about the clinic’s ability to prioritise South African patients, with one staffer saying foreign nationals sometimes use multiple aliases to obtain medications.
Adding to the facility’s woes, just one water tank serves its entire operation – this as Johannesburg battles widespread water shortages.
Official visit
On a visit to the clinic to assess the situation, City of Johannesburg Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu pointed out that the abandoned top floor of the building could be used to ease some of the overcrowding pressures. She also raised concerns about resource constraints and staff shortages, and said she would consult with the Section 79 committee to discuss possible solutions …and address the needs of both local and foreign patients in a more balanced manner.
Section 79 committees are non-executive committees that may be established for the effective and efficient performance of any of a municipal council's functions.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SA healthcare: It’s not collapsed, merely distressed — Motsoaledi
Gauteng clinics still denying treatment for pregnant migrants
Gauteng Health rollover funds cut after failure to spend budget