All public clinics have taken on the initiative of attaining the “ideal clinic” status as mandated by the Department of Health (DoH). This means that public clinics must work towards achieving the same level of service delivery as private clinics. However, public clinics face the challenge of a lack of resources and funds which makes it difficult to attain the “ideal clinic” status.
The Ikgomotseng clinic is in Soutpan, Free State. The Clinic serves between 1800 and 2000 people monthly and appeared to be a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house that had been converted into a clinic, hence the facility was too small to accommodate all patients.
In partnership with the DOH and Boshoff Solar Plant, Letsatsi has undertaken extensive upgrades of the clinic to increase its capacity and achieve the ideal clinic status. The clinic has been provided with a pharmacy and dispensing area. Two additional consulting rooms have been constructed which allows for one consultation room to be used as a doctor’s consultation and an emergency room. The toilets have been upgraded for people who are disabled. An archive has been constructed to allow to allow for confidential files to be stored safely and reduce the waiting time for patients. Additional renovations include a multifunctional room, sluice room, enlarged reception area, improved signage, security measures and upgrades to the parking area.
Ms. Mochoane, the Operational Manager thanked Letsatsi for the assistance they are giving to the clinic and commented that “Letsatsi should not only stop with us, they should continue helping our communities, so we can all attain the ideal clinic status. The work that is being done at the clinic is not for personal benefit, but for the legacy of Soutpan as a whole.