Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

27 September 2023

Evander Hospital Clinic hosted an open day on 21 September 2023.

The purpose of the clinic open day was to remind members of the public on platforms to follow when aggrieved and to also introduce the clinic committee that will liaise between the clinic and community.

The committee will be able to address issues affecting members of the public at the clinic as well as issues the clinic staff face at the hands of the public.

The members of the public were urged to bring their loved ones to the clinic during the early stages of their illness instead of bringing them while they were already weak, thereby blaming the clinic or hospital for the loss of their loved ones.

Ms. Faniswa Bulawayo, who is the Evander Clinic ambassador, is living with a mental health illness (bipolar) diagnosed in 1996.

Faniswa shared with the members of the public the symptoms and signs of people suffering from bipolar disorder.

She urged members of the public to treat people living with bipolar disorder as equals instead of calling them crazy. 

“Bipolar is an illness that is curable like any other; we are also humans, and we are able to make decisions even though we make mistakes.

Stop using our illness to excuse us. We love being appreciated and shown love, said Ms. Faniswa Bulawayo, encouraging the public to take care of patients living with bipolar.

Ms. Faniswa Bulawayo further urged the public to stop taking patients to traditional healers even when it’s not necessary, thereby taking them to the clinic when it is already too late, as everything starts at the clinic.

Ms. Nqobile Zondi from Broadreach encourages the public to know their HIV status by getting tested within the facility. 

“It is important to respect one another; if you treat one with respect, they will treat you with respect too; that is what we are here to remind the public,” said Mrs. Madala Ndlovu, the CEO of Evander Hospital.

Mrs. Madala Ndlovu added that it is very important for patience to come quickly to the clinic before being transferred to the level 1 district hospital. 

“The reason why people are unforgiving of Evander Hospital is because unreferred patients come and want to be given attention first; some do not have documentation, whereas others come when they are not booked.

These are the very same people who tarnish our name in society; we are therefore trying to improve in many ways,” Mrs. Ndlovu added.

Mrs. Ndlovu further urged community members to report complaints instantly at the clinic to help resolve the matter as soon as possible.

The members of the public were encouraged to only go to the hospital when there is an emergency, when booked or when referred to the clinic.

Minor illnesses should start at the clinic.