A patient has written a heart-warming letter to the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, complimenting all staff at the City’s Esselen Street Clinic in Hillbrow for rendering quality healthcare services.

Not used to Batho Pele principles, Ntswaki Mbalu became a keyboard warrior after she visited the City-run health facility recently for medical attention.

Ntswaki’s experience turned to be a heartening story of ordinary people who discover a shared humanity.

She writes that following her retrenchment during the lockdown, her medical aid ceased, compelling her to consult a public health institution for healthcare services.

“I was at pains trying to accept that I will have to use public healthcare services,” she told the minister, adding that she had had a negative encounter with nurses at the same clinic 15 years ago and was dreading a repeat.

She describes her experience this time around as a genuine miracle.

“I was overwhelmed at the level of improvement and warmth extended to me from [the] security, booking clerk, admin section, blood room, nursing sisters, Drs and all,” Ntswaki wrote in her letter to Minister Mkhize.

She complimented everyone at the clinic for being inexpressibly empathetic, “to the point that I can’t wait each time for my next appointment”.

What’s even more amazing about this poignant tale is that Ntswaki first sent the complimentary email directly to the Minister, who then forwarded it to Lucretia Moshigo, a senior official in his office, carbon copying several others. The email is then circulated to district officials in Gauteng, including Irene Kok, who sent it to their colleague, Mogeru Morewane.

It is Mogeru, a Chief Director of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Health District, who sends the letter to Dorothy Diale, the City’s Deputy Director for District Health Systems and Mathibe Monyamane, Region F’s Manager for Clinics, carbon copying Baski Desai, the City’s Director of Public Health.

“The district is very proud to have members that are so dedicated,” Mogeru writes, requesting the “appreciation” letter be sent to all personnel at the clinic to uplift their morale.

What followed on is heartening, as Mathibe emails the letter to a host of his colleagues, about 34 of them, with an accompanying message.

“In these challenging times, it takes exceptional people to deliver the kind of service you and your team have rendered. Words cannot express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your team for the exceptional work you do daily.”

The healthcare practitioners Ntswaki dealt directly with are Nolwazi Makhubo (Enrolled Nursing Assistant); Richard Ndzhinga (General Worker); Patricia Ngcobo (Health Promoter); Nombom Qgiba (Operational Manager); Tshepo Moremane (Admin Assistant); Gigi Dladla (Enrolled Nurse) and David Mageleketa (Security Officer).

Ntswaki signs off her letter by writing: “Big Up To All Staff. Keep shining that Nightingale Light for all of us”.