The Ennerdale extension 9 clinic is one of the City’s busiest and well-kept primary healthcare facilities, with neatly paved brick walkways, well-defined sand beds, and neatly manicured grass. According to the clinic’s operations manager, SR Dikeledi Rakali, the facility’s value proposition is pride and performance.

“I firmly believe that we as employees must take pride in what we do and where we work, and that this translates into performance and our ability to provide decent primary healthcare services to the public, which they deserve,” SR Rakolle says.

She also mentions that a long-serving EPWP employee (Mr Majola) should be recognised for his unending hard work and efforts in keeping the clinic’s premises in pristine condition.

SR Rakolle observes during a walkabout of the facility that the clinic opens at 7am and closes at 4pm, with over 250 patients passing through daily. One might think that the constant flow of people would have an effect on the clinic’s condition. However, the opposite is true.

Walking through the front door, two white pillars welcome you to sparkling floors that have been polished to perfection; one can literally see their reflection on the floor.

The whitish cream walls have been wiped down and plastered with signage indicating the various consultation rooms available throughout the clinic.

The eye is met by white chairs placed precisely in the different departments of the clinic for each waiting area as one walks down the clinic’s long passage. The reception area proudly displays the facility’s awards as well as our country’s leadership icons on the wall. In the long passageway, you pass by 9 maroon painted doors that lead to different consultation rooms.

“Our facility is very small, with only 8 consultation rooms, but we occupy every corner, and we set up more stations if necessary to ensure that every patient leaves with the services they came for,” SR Rakolle emphasises.

The City can boast not only about the clinic’s immaculate appearance, but also about its exceptional portfolio of services.

The clinic provides comprehensive medical services. However, the Ennerdale clinic offers a few services that are not available in all Johannesburg healthcare facilities. Dentistry, mental health, psychology, family planning, and, on occasion, social work are among them. The only service that is not provided is medical circumcision, for which patients are referred elsewhere.

Another notable feature is the clinic’s ‘Collect & Go’ automated green and blue medicine dispensing machine. SR Rakolle explains that patients can come in for their repeat or new medication, and the machine will ask them for a password before unlocking the specific cubby for them to collect. When patients submit a request for medication, nurses fill these cubbies.

“We live in a changing world, and the Collect & Go machine is a great way for patients to avoid long lines and waiting when the medicine is already pre-packed and ready for collection,” she adds.

The Ennerdale clinic has its own pharmacy as well as a pharmacist assistant who keeps things running smoothly. For ease of access, all medication in the pharmaceutical room is labelled and shelved in a specific order.

There is also a storeroom for all filing and storage, which is stacked to the rafters with shelves holding files, stationary, and other medical supplies.

SR Rakolle says the clinic employs 14 qualified nurses who are all committed to the health and well-being of their patients.

Sarah Kimmie, a well-known and trusted patient who has been using the clinic for over 7 years, gladly shares her phenomenal experience at the Ennerdale clinic.

“Ek bly baie naby aan die kliniek. Hulle is baie vriendlik en eiwerig om te hulp wanneer ek in stap. Die onvangs dame weet al wat ek kom doen en hou my papier werk op hand wanneer ek in stap,” (I live very close to the clinic. They are very friendly and eager to help when I walk in. The receptionist lady knows what I’m here to do and has my paperwork on hand when I walk in​) Kimmie says.

Living in one of the busiest Metros in the country, Kimmie says it’s impressive to see the level of professionalism and cleanliness in such a busy facility.

“One of the Executive Mayor’s priorities is health, and it cannot be solely hers. We, as clinic employees, must all contribute to achieving the priority as a group. We have big plans for the clinic and hope to expand it soon so that we can help more people,” says SR Rakolle.

Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph

23/12/2022