Too many minor ailments

Dundee Hospital's head nurse, Matron Noma Mkhize, spends most of her nine-hour shift dispensing paracetamols instead of doing her normal duties.

Her 300 nursing staff at the hospital in KwaZulu-Natal are often "under tremendous pressure" to ensure that the more than 1000 patients a day are examined and treated within 45 minutes of entering the outpatient ward.

But most of the patients in the snaking queues are waiting to be treated for minor ailments ranging from toothaches to cuts and bruises.

"Patients often come to the hospital for a simple Panado ... instead of going to one of the eight clinics in the district," said Mkhize. "It puts the hospital's resources and staff under tremendous pressure."

One of the aims of the National Health Insurance system is to encourage patients to go to clinics first.

The same applies to clinics in Umzinyathi district, which has a population of more than 514840.

However, the 224-bed Dundee Hospital - which renders treatment for infectious diseases, trauma cases, maternity, surgery and physiotherapy - is flooded with patients daily.

Hospital spokesman Mbali Ntshingila said the hospital was now contracting private doctors to boost the capacity at the clinics.

Even though medical consultations are free at Empathe Clinic, just 3km from the hospital, patients complained that waiting there was often unbearable.

One patient said the clinic was packed from 6.30am until it closed at 4pm.

In a bid to ensure that the hospital sets an good example of a functioning NHI pilot site, management have also budgeted for new cutlery, utensils and bed linen.

The hospital's basic equipment has received an overhaul and menus for patients are being improved by a specialist food manager and a dietician.