Friday, December 10, 2021

Collect & Go E-Lockers make chronic medication accessible

The Western Cape Government health department, in collaboration with Right ePharmacy, ANOVA Health Institute and the United States Agency for International Development, have developed a new way for public healthcare patients to collect chronic medication. While still in its pilot phase, the “Collect & Go E-Lockers” are available at 11 healthcare facilities and allow patients to collect their monthly medication.

The medicine dispensing units consist of pigeonholes where the medicine is loaded and unloaded, and is fitted with air-conditioning for “optimal storage conditions”.

Patients can sign up for the service at a local healthcare facility and will be evaluated by a clinician, who will grant patients access to the programme.



E-lockers can be found at the following facilities: Heideveld Community Health Centre, Gugulethu Community Health Centre, Mitchells Plain Community Health Centre, Khayelitsha District Hospital, Eerste River Hospital, Nomzamo Community Health Centre, Kraaifontein Community Health Centre, Delft Community Health Centre, Elsies River Community Health Centre, District Six Community Day Centre and Lady Michaelis Community Day Centre. Courtesy: Western Cape Government


After patients sign up for the service, they will receive a one-time Pin (OTP) to unlock the pigeonhole unit and collect their medication, said Gillian Makota, e-lockers project manager, in a press release for the Western Cape Government. Additionally, patients will receive an SMS notification to remind them to collect their new prescription, when it is time to do so.

The project is beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV, asthma and other conditions. The project has also been launched in other provinces, namely Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Public healthcare patients are encouraged to use the service, where available. 



Patient do not need to be face-to-face with healthcare workers to collect medication, making e-lockers Covid-19 friendly. Courtesy: Western Cape Government


      Done By: Caitlin Maledo

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