When Care Comes Together

Muizenberg Clinic, Lavender Hill Clinic, Westlake Clinic, Seawinds Clinic & The Community Care Clinic.

Today, something truly special happened.

Last week, we met Sister Lawrence, manager of Lavender Hill Clinic and Muizenberg Clinic. We had invited her to come and have a look at the Community Care Clinic — and this morning she showed up spontaneously, together with the Head of Nursing from Westlake Clinic.

We gave them a tour, showed that we have already started working from the bungalow (which looks very professional with our screens and medical trolleys), and where the hospitainer will soon be placed. They were clearly impressed.

After the tour, I asked for support with vaccinating children. There are mothers in the community who do not dare to cross the street with their babies because of the violence and stray bullets. The past few days have been extremely unsafe in several communities.

They immediately started thinking along. However, they wanted to involve the Head of Nursing from Seawinds Clinic as well. She was called and arrived within 20 minutes. What followed was remarkable: suddenly we found ourselves in an official meeting with the nursing management of five clinics, all with one shared goal — improving care for the children in our communities.

I got goosebumps from how quickly this all came together. Everyone wanted the same thing: to make sure people receive the care they need. And if people cannot come to the clinic, then we bring the care to them.

Since the Community Care Clinic do not yet offer a vaccination programme, the other clinics will support us. We will have fixed vaccination days at our location: two days per month, where, for example, all children can receive their measles vaccinations on the same day.

In addition, we will jointly organise World Tuberculosis Day this coming Tuesday (24 March) at the Community Care Clinic. Muizenberg Clinic and Seawinds Clinic will bring materials and nursing staff and will show us how to organise such a day. This will form the foundation for future themed days, such as HIV days and World Health Day (7 April).

There is even a full calendar for these initiatives.

This is a major step forward. Our clinic is truly becoming part of a strong collaborative network for those who need care the most. The other clinics also recognise how important this is, especially because many patients are afraid to reach them due to gangs, violence, and stray bullets.

When everyone left, I burst into tears. Tears of happiness. Because it almost feels unreal how quickly this all happened — simply because everyone shares the same goal: providing good care, with their hearts in the right place.

With Love,

Ellen van Meerten

Operational manager & Nurse Practicioner