Suburban
WARD 41 residents have alleged that health workers at Marlborough Polyclinic are rude to patients and not committed to their duties.
Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
Residents alleged that the health workers at the clinic were not prioritising patients as they are always busy socialising among themselves at the expense of patients in need of attention.
This week senior council health personnel had to visit Marlborough Polyclinic to assess the situation at the health centre and find ways of improving healthcare delivery at the City of Harare-run clinic.
The tour followed complaints by Ward 41 residents about lack of medication, poor service to patients and the deplorable attitude of some nurses at the clinic who were reportedly being rude to patients.
Officials who visited the polyclinic included the director of health services in the City of Harare Dr Prosper Chonzi, the resident doctor, district matron, district pharmacist, district midwife, the sister-in-charge, health officers and the council architect.
The tour was organised by Ward 41 Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe who said some of the health workers at the polyclinic were alleged to be constantly referring patients to general hospitals for minor issues such as fevers and upset stomachs.
“Primary healthcare service provision is the core mandate of the City of Harare clinics.
“I invited the director of health Dr Chonzi, resident doctor, district matron, district pharmacist, district midwife, sister-in-charge, council architect and health officers and we took a tour of the clinic and had an opportunity to discuss challenges and find solutions for them so that Ward 41 residents are proud of their clinic as it is their first option to get assistance when ill.
“A consignment of chronic, pediatric and pain medication including testing kits and many other medications were delivered to the clinic.
“We had another discussion on the progress of the clinic’s expansion to add a maternity wing, operating theatre and a private wing that will cater for those needing private clinic facilities that I initiated in 2019 and it was approved by full council and allocated funds in the 2019 budget,” said Councillor Kadzombe.
She said on June 15, three dimensional (3D) designs will be done at the polyclinic and the designs will be shared with residents.
Councillor Kadzombe told residents that Dr Chonzi had confirmed that plans to expand the clinic were still underway and funding for the expansion will be made available since it had already been approved in the 2019 budget.
“Marlborough Polyclinic will be the first of its kind in low density areas with such an achievement for our community,” Cllr Kadzombe said.
