Dylan Bettencourt
Computers with patient information were stolen from three different Johannesburg clinics in the past week.
Two of the robberies occurred over the weekend at Shanty Clinic in Soweto and the Thulamntwana Clinic in Orange Farm.
Computers with patient data, documents and medicine stock were taken.
The City of Johannesburg said the security guards present at the clinics were overpowered and tied up during the robberies.
“Neither of the clinics will be able to operate optimally as staff will have to revert to manual operations that will slow the consultation processes,” the City said.
A few days earlier the Bosmont Clinic was broken into where computers and scanning machines were stolen and the medication room was vandalised.
Eunice Mgcina, Mayoral Committee Member for Health and Social Development for the City pleaded with people with information to please contact the police.
“Clinics are a vital part of our communities,” said Mgcina.
“These burglaries are a threat to our security personnel as well. It is costly both to the City and to the communities they serve.”
Mgcina said the clinics need community assistance to keep their clinics safe from potential break-ins.
Image source: @SACoronavirus
