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LETTER
TB testing hard to come by
26/07/2007 11:47 - (SA)
Dear Editor,
I have recently had the experience of dealing with someone who works for me being diagnosed with TB. As we all work in close proximity, and my production manager drives some of the guys home, we decided that we would all trundle off and get tested to make sure we were all clear. I would cover all the expenses - easy enough?
I made a call to the local clinic to make enquiries. I told them we all wanted to come down and have ourselves checked out. "Not possible", I'm told, as this is a TB and Chest Clinic, but they don't do check ups.
I called the nearest "proper clinic". Nope, they tell me - my staff must go to clinics in the area they live. Fair enough.
So I gave them all a day off to get them sorted out. I tried to call these clinics to find out what the procedure is, in order to let my staff know what to expect, but no-one seemed to be able to offer advice. We were told to just "come".
So this resulted in my staff all having to take two days off as they were told that they should come back in the morning (after waiting around most of the firstday), as this (apparently) is the best time to test for TB.
My visit to the clinic was a laugh. I was told that I had to go to a private clinic as the clinics in my area were for "workers".
A private clinic test costs around R1 000. Not an easy thing to afford if I want to offer to test all my staff.
My point to this is this; TB is stated as an enormous problem in the Western Cape and SA as a whole, surely there could be more slick way of handling of people who wish to get checked?
I can bet that the problem would be brought into line if there was half an effort to streamline the testing and make it more easily available.
Perhaps they could introduce a mobile testing facility where one can book in advance - the facility arrives, tests and leaves. Results can be posted, faxed or emailed. There could be a "TB Section" that deals with people from wherever they come from. There should also be a system that clearly explains to people what to do and where the closest testing station to their workplace or home is.
Despite all this, I still encourage all employers to get their staff tested.
Nick Miles
Cape Town
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