NATIONAL NEWS - Patients with chronic illnesses can now receive their medication in under five minutes thanks to an “ATM pharmacy” that was launched in Twin City Heidedal on Tuesday, Bloemfontein Courant reports.

ATM Pharmacy? you may ask. Yes, it is exactly that. A convenient and much faster way to receive prescription medication for diabetes, TB, and HIV-related illnesses.

The quick dispensing pharmacies were initiated by non-profit organisation, Right to Care.

According to CEO Ian Sanne, this groundbreaking Pharmacy Dispensing Unit (PDU) is aimed at improving the health of South Africans, particularly in the public sector.

“We are resolute on improving healthcare through innovation. This is a brainchild that has taken about eight years to develop,” said Sanne.

He explained that another aim of the project is to lessen the congestion in healthcare facilities, therefore, improving service delivery.

“The aim is to offload clinics from the large numbers of patients and the intense waiting times that are experienced,” stated Sanne.

Read more on the Caxton publication, Alberton Record.