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medicines on time

BETTER SERVICE: Gauteng MEC for health Brain Hlongwa opens the revamped pharmacy at Helen Joseph Hospital. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 25/09/2008. © Sowetan.
BETTER SERVICE: Gauteng MEC for health Brain Hlongwa opens the revamped pharmacy at Helen Joseph Hospital. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 25/09/2008. © Sowetan.

Zinhle Maphumulo

Zinhle Maphumulo

Patients at the Helen Joseph Hospital won't have to wait for hours on end to get their medication. The hospital has upgraded its pharmacy and increased its staff.

The revamped pharmacy was officially opened yesterday by the Gauteng health MEC, Brian Hlongwa. The pharmacy has six service points. It will serve more than 500 people a day which is 50percent more than it usually handles.

Hlongwa said the revamped pharmacy would minimise the negative media coverage the hospital had been getting.

"For years Helen Joseph has been infamous for its long queues at the dispensary. This is about to change," he said.

"The cry of our people has been heard which is why we prioritised building a new pharmacy at this hospital."

The revamp is part of Project Tokiso to usher in change and a better environment in health facilities. The project began in 2006.

In January the hospital employed a chief pharmacist and five new pharmacy assistants.

A study conducted in December last year revealed that the minimum waiting time at the hospital's pharmacy was six hours. The report also showed that there was a shortage of pharmacists.

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