Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extensively disrupted the management dynamics and stretched the mental well-being of Ekurhuleni primary healthcare clinic managers. Their workload was increased, and they also had to deal with the grief of losing colleagues, family members and patients in large numbers as a result of the pandemic. Aim: This study sought to explore and describe the mental well-being of Ekurhuleni primary healthcare clinic managers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Setting: This study was conducted in the primary healthcare clinics of Ekurhuleni region in Gauteng province. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was adopted in this study. The sample size comprised 14 clinic managers. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, and in-depth semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to collect data. The descriptive thematic analysis method was used to analyse data. Results: Four themes emerged from the study: (1) unbearable level of stress because of the new management dynamics, (2) fear and anxiety because of a sudden escalating death rate, (3) unresponsive employee wellness programmes and (4) lack of support from senior management. Conclusion: The senior management of primary healthcare clinics should safeguard the mental well-being of clinic managers during the pandemic by giving support and ensuring that the existing employee wellness system is responsive. Contribution: This study revealed that a strong support from senior management and responsive employee wellness programmes can strengthen the mental health of the primary healthcare clinic managers. Thus, this enables them to be future ready for possible pandemics like COVID-19.