It is around 5:30pm on Tuesday and Joyce Mokoena (45) is sitting in a queue at the 8^th Avenue Clinic in Alexandra. The facility is one of the City's 22 clinics that offer extended hour services.

“I'm here to get medical attention for my child who has been showing some symptoms of the flu since yesterday. She is complaining about a headache and is struggling with sinuses," says Mokoena.

Within few minutes, Sister Elizabeth Velaphi comes out from her consultation room and calls Mokoena's teenager daughter for medical assessment and gives her some medicines.

“This is one of the busiest clinics in Alexandra. I have been working here since August last year," says Sister Velaphi, who boasts 30 years' nursing experience.  

Catharine Makole, who uses the 8^th Avenue Clinic in Alexandra, has welcomed the extended hours. “I'm happy because we don't have to wake up before dawn to go to the clinic anymore. Now I can come in the afternoon or during the weekend for my medication."

“I have been coming to this clinic since 2013. The extended hours are helpful for us workers. I work in Sunninghill. When I knock off, I can find the clinic still open," says Makole. 

The City of Johannesburg extended the clinics' operating hours to accommodate those who are unable to visit them between 7am and 4pm because of work and to cut the long queues at clinics. The clinics also open on weekends to for those who can't visit and collect their medication during the week.

Sindisiwe Mkhize also says it has made life easier for her. “I really appreciate the extended hours. This assists us a lot. I'm a domestic worker in Woodmead and work Monday to Friday. Now I visit the clinic on Saturday or Sunday to get my treatment."

Tebogo Mdluli, a security guard at a local shopping centre, said his employer had a problem with him taking the day off once every month to collect his medication. Now he goes after work or on weekends.

City clinics offer a range of primary healthcare services, including the treatment of chronic diseases, child immunisation, HIV care including counselling, testing and provision of antiretroviral drugs to people living with the virus.

Clinics with extended hours: