Johannesburg – About R7 million has been spent by the City of Johannesburg to extend operating hours of six clinics in various areas, Mayor Herman Mashaba said on Monday during the launch of the development at the Freedom Park Clinic in Soweto.
"It is a great honour and pleasure for me to launch the extended operating hours for the Freedom Park Clinic, an undertaking I believe is bound to make a significant improvement in the provision of quality health services for this community," said Mashaba.
Until Monday, operating hours at the Freedom Park Clinic were from 07:30 to 16:00 during the week, however, this has now been extended to 22:00.
The clinic will also open from 07:30 to 13:30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Mashaba said 16 extra staff members had been brought to the clinic, including a social worker and a pharmacist, to ensure that the extended hours run smoothly.
The mayor did a walkabout at the clinic and interacted with elderly residence of Freedom Park.
He said that the pilot project for extended operating hours was initially launched at the Princess Clinic in October 2015.
"I am delighted to say that the project has been a resounding success," Mashaba said.
"From November 2016 through to February 2017, a total of 10 791 patients visited the Princess Clinic. As a reflection on the need for the extended clinic operating hours, almost 3 000 patients out of the total were seen during the extended hours."
Mashaba said the extended operating hours at clinic would benefit residents in many ways.
As an example the mayor said: "It is also a perfect solution for those who need a routine check-up or want assistance with managing chronic conditions without having to take a day off work or school".
Mashaba said the City will be rolling out extended operating hours at four other health facilities that include Hikensile Clinic, Randburg Clinic, Zandspruit Clinic,and Albert Street clinic.
Soweto resident Ella Baloyi said she was hopeful the extended operating hours would improve the services provided at the clinic.
She said that the facility was small and not everyone was attended to, but the extended hours would allow people to come later in the day to be assisted.