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.
Done By: Caitlin Maledo
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