Question NW1312 to the Minister of Health
19 May 2023 - NW1312
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What measures of intervention has he put in place in the Cape Winelands clinics in the Western Cape, that still request HIV patients to raise their clinic cards in front of other patients, exposing their status and thus making them vulnerable?
Reply:
The Western Cape Department of Health reports that it only has one visit card for all patients in all facilities. The information on the visit card will be the name, surname, contact number and address and the date of next appointment. No diagnosis is written on the visit card. Confidentiality is a priority to ensure person-centred care.
The only other card that patients carry with them is the card for TB patients enrolled in directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) and who receive medication at the facility. These patients do not queue at registration but report directly to the consulting room as a measure to fast-track their visit.
END.