By Temnotfo Mvubu | Public Relations Manager
Our clinic provides a number of services, some of which have been made possible by finally having an in-house Dr. We welcomed Dr Richard to our team a while ago, a medical professional with more than 14 years in the field and whose presence here has made such a difference in the community. With his help, we have been able to add more services at the Kudvumisa Community Clinic, helping us to create even more access to quality, compassionate healthcare.In this exclusive Q&A, we delve deeper into his experiences, motivations, and the unique challenges and rewards of serving the people of Maphiveni.
Can you share what extra services you are helping to provide at the clinic?
Dr Richard: With more than 14 years of clinical practice experience, and having worked in all kinds of settings, I can provide more than what had been available at the clinic before I started working here. Some of these extra services include management of all emergencies and children who are severely ill (dehydrated for instance).80% of the patients who come into the clinic are no longer transferred to other facilities. We stabilize them and then assess if they require to be transferred or not. On most occasions, once stable, they can go back home. I am also able to conduct minor surgery such as stitching wounds and extraction of foreign bodies as well as providing obstetric scanning for pregnant women and management of obstetric emergencies.
What are the needs you are seeing and what extra services would you like to be able to provide to fill them?
Dr Richard: I would love to provide Gynae-obstetric services; this will allow me to deliver babies and look after the health of the mother and child during, before, and after childbirth. There are many women in the area requiring pregnant women's care, from antenatal care (ANC) to delivery. However, we do not have a maternity service/delivery room. This is a major need. I would also like to be able to offer more surgical services such as dislocated shoulder adjustment, non-complicated fracture contention(POP) as well as management of emergency hypertension and diabetes ketoacidosis; a life-threatening complication of the chronic condition.
What are the most rewarding aspects of serving at the Kudvumisa Community Clinic?
Dr Richard: As a clinician, the most rewarding part about it all is the joy I see from my patients as well as their good feedback. It warms my heart; especially the grannies who often come in not able to walk because of arthritis, uncontrolled blood sugar, and other chronic conditions, but later returning for their follow-ups a few weeks later, smiling and appreciative for the care they received. This is more than any reward. Secondly, I enjoy working with the staff here. Everyone is very open-minded, friendly, and helpful. It is a big blessing as I am someone who has worked in different settings and with the Kudvumisa, I’ve seen great team spirit and everyone collectively working together for the wellbeing of our patients. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to serve the needy. It’s an indescribable feeling.
Dr. Richard continues to make an invaluable difference at the clinic and we are thankful to have him on our team. Our patients no longer have to travel long distances to receive the care they need.
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