MTHATHA – The Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, is expected to officially launch a new Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) pick-up point at the Nkosi Minenkulu Joyi Traditional Council in Baziya, outside Mthatha, on Friday, 9 October.
The pick-up point will give eligible, clinically stable chronic patients a community-based alternative for collecting their repeat medication.
Health MEC spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said that, for patients living with chronic conditions, access to medicine should not mean repeatedly returning to a health facility simply to collect medication.
She said the new pick-up point is intended to bring the service closer to where people live, particularly for patients who do not require a clinical consultation every time they collect their repeat medication.
“This is especially significant in a rural setting such as Baziya, where the Department and the Nkosi Minenkulu Joyi Foundation have identified improved access to healthcare and chronic medicine as priorities for underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
The CCMDD programme separates routine medicine collection for eligible, clinically stable patients from unnecessary repeat visits to health facilities,” she said.
Bringing chronic care closer
Mavovana added that, once enrolled in the programme, qualifying patients can have their repeat chronic medication made available through an approved external pick-up point, such as the one at the Nkosi Minenkulu Joyi Traditional Council.
The community-based point supports patients requiring ongoing repeat treatment for chronic conditions, while patients who are ill, unstable or need examination or treatment review will continue to receive those services at health facilities.
The pick-up point is intended for eligible, clinically stable chronic patients enrolled in CCMDD in Baziya and surrounding communities.
The broader outreach programme is screening and providing services for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, TB, sexual and reproductive health, prostate health, cervical and breast health, maternal health, mental health, child health and nutrition, alongside other primary healthcare services.
By shifting suitable repeat medicine collections from facility queues to an approved community collection point, CCMDD is designed to reduce avoidable clinic footfall while supporting continuity of treatment for stable patients.
Easing pressure on local clinics
“For surrounding primary healthcare services, including Baziya Clinic/CHC and other facilities serving the area, this creates an opportunity for healthcare workers to devote more time to patients who need clinical assessment, acute care and other health interventions.
It is a practical example of moving appropriate healthcare services from the facility into the community rather than requiring every patient to travel to a clinic for every component of their care.”
The launch is being undertaken in partnership with the Nkosi Minenkulu Joyi Foundation and Traditional Council, recognising the reach of traditional leadership in rural communities and its role in connecting residents with government services.
Mavovana said the partnership is intended to go beyond the launch, with departmental planning providing for continuous support to the pick-up point and an ongoing partnership with the Traditional Council.
She said the official launch follows a five-day health outreach programme from October 5 to 9, with teams deployed to the Nkosi Joyi area and surrounding health facilities.
The programme has included targeted services for different sections of the community.
For men, services have included hypertension and diabetes screening, HIV and TB testing, prostate health assessments and referrals, sexual and reproductive health services, STI services and substance abuse interventions.
Wide range of health services
Youth have been offered sexual and reproductive health services, health education, HIV and TB screening and testing, as well as treatment for acute conditions.
For women and children, the programme has provided cervical cancer screening, family planning, blood pressure and diabetes screening, HIV and TB services, immunisations, growth monitoring and food supplementation.
Rehabilitation services have also been available, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology, and orthotic and prosthetic services.
The department said the outreach programme forms part of efforts to bring essential healthcare services closer to communities while strengthening access to ongoing care for residents in rural and underserved areas.
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