Patients at Commercial City Clinic in Durban Central are facing numerous challenges in accessing quality healthcare services. One of the major complaints from patients is that they are routinely expected to buy their own pregnancy tests and notebooks for medical records.
Phumelele Mnguni, a patient at the clinic, expressed her frustration at having to purchase pregnancy tests if she misses her scheduled date for the injectable contraceptive. The contraceptive shots are administered every three months, and missing a dose increases the risk of pregnancy. The clinic requires women to take a pregnancy test before receiving the contraceptive, but many patients find it burdensome to bear the cost of these tests.
In addition to the lack of pregnancy tests, patients also face obstacles when seeking to remove contraceptive implants. One patient shared her experience of being turned away twice at the clinic because they did not have the necessary equipment to remove the implant. This forced her to seek assistance at another government facility in Durban, causing unnecessary delays and inconvenience.
Furthermore, patients have also raised concerns about the frequent water shortages at the clinic, which affect the provision of healthcare services. Thembela Gwala recounted how she was turned away when she wanted to remove a contraceptive loop due to the ongoing water crisis at the facility.
Another patient highlighted the unavailability of medicine at the clinic, which often requires multiple visits to obtain necessary medication. This not only wastes the patient’s time but also reflects poorly on the quality of healthcare services provided.
Despite these challenges, the KwaZulu-Natal health department has not responded to queries regarding the issues faced by patients at Commercial City Clinic. It is clear that there is a pressing need for improvements in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure that patients receive the quality care they deserve.
