Patients at the Retreat Public Health Centre are facing drug shortages and long waiting times in queues. According to Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate, some residents are forced to return to the facility multiple times without receiving the necessary medication.
Southgate reported that his office has received numerous complaints, emphasizing that this situation places additional pressure on residents who already struggle to access the clinic. He told IOL Media: 'I have received several complaints from residents regarding the lack of certain medications.'
He noted that patients have to return to the centre repeatedly, sometimes leaving without prescribed drugs. 'This increases their anxiety levels and adds another layer of stress to an already strained life,' he added. The councillor also mentioned that his office is used as a collection point for some patients to reduce the need to queue at the clinic, but this arrangement does not help when medicines are out of stock.
Southgate concluded that the only recourse is to appeal to Provincial and National levels to ensure the procurement of necessary medications.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness acknowledged that there is high demand at Retreat CHC, but assured that all patients seeking help are being supported. Monique Johnston, Assistant Director of Communications for District Health Services, stated that the facility serves approximately 750 visits daily, including scheduled appointments and walk-ins.
Johnston assured that all patients seeking assistance receive care and are not turned away. She specified that the centre employs five permanent doctors, three locum doctors, three public health officers, two interns, and four clinical practice nurses, depending on the rotation schedule. Regarding waiting times, Johnston explained that patients arriving without prior appointments are prioritized based on the urgency of their condition, which can lead to longer waits during periods of high demand.
Patients with stable chronic conditions may undergo a doctor's assessment, after which they can be registered to collect medication at an off-site dispensing location, helping them avoid long queues. Johnston also added that the department has not received any official complaints regarding waiting times in the last three months.
The Department indicated that the medication supply issues at Retreat are part of a broader national problem. Johnston stated that supply problems are occurring nationwide and affect all provinces, including the Western Cape. She reported that health teams monitor stocks, move medicines where possible, and provide suitable alternatives when necessary.
The Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, approached the national Minister of Transport, Barbara Crissy, regarding potential delays in the delivery of vital medicines. In a statement published by IOL Media on Thursday, Wenger said she wrote to Crissy requesting assistance in identifying and resolving bottlenecks at South African ports that could further slow down medicine supplies. The letter specifically highlighted concerns about delays at the Port of Durban.
Wenger emphasized: 'This is about protecting the health, well-being, and dignity of patients who depend on these medicines.' She added that any unnecessary delay in importing medicines into the country means another delay in them reaching needy patients. She noted that healthcare facilities are already facing significant limitations in medicine supplies, and it is unacceptable to allow avoidable delays to worsen the situation.
The Department explained that imported medicines must undergo quality checks before distribution to healthcare facilities. This process can take three to four weeks. Wenger stressed: 'Patient safety must always come first, and necessary testing processes cannot be compromised.' Furthermore, Wenger raised this issue with the national Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and called for priority to be given to medicine supply issues at the National Health Council.
