EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR RESIDENTS OF THUSANANG INFORMAL SETTLEMENT
Walking for a distance of about 15 kilometres to access healthcare is the thing of the past for residents of Thusanang informal settlement in Westonaria,Westrandafter Gauteng MEC for Health, MsQedaniMahlanguofficially opened a local clinic in the area this morning.
The clinic to the value of more than R1 million is a result of a public-private partnership between Gauteng Department of Health, Gold Fields’ South Deep Gold Mine and the Rand West Local Municipality.
The facility which is a much needed relief to more than 7000 residents of Thusanang, willprovide a comprehensive range of services such as: child health services, expanded programs on immunization, maternal services, family planning, cancer screening, chronic disease management, emergency services, rehabilitation services and health promotion.
“The Department’s focus is to reach the people where they reside before they become critically sick. Patients should use their local clinics for minor ailments.The Department is also working tirelessly to improve our clinics so that patients go to clinics instead of hospitals” said MEC Mahlangu.
“We will work with the community to form a clinic committee. We plead with community to treat health professionals with dignity and nurses should also treat community members with decorum. Don’t abuse resources, don’t call ambulances unnecessarily,” pleaded MEC Mahlangu.
MEC added that community members should work together with health professionals in preventing lifestyle related diseases by living a healthy life.
During construction of the clinic, twenty temporary jobs were created for local residents and three small businesses were empowered. Nine permanent jobs were created for people living in Thusanang area which includes a clerk, cleaner, professional nurse, two enrolled nurses and four security officers.
“Health workers in this clinic are highly skilled and I am confident that they will provide you with the best health care for the different illnesses that you present to them”, added MEC Mahlangu.
Under its social management banner and through the implementation of Social and Labour Plans, the South Deep Gold Mine donated 8 roomed temporary prefabricated medical building facility including provision of the appropriate security infrastructure.
The clinic started operating on 26 August 2016 and to date more than 800 patients have been seen at this facility.
“Community members should take pride in the clinic as it will bring relief as they would not have to waste money and travel long distance to access health care. It will boost primary health care in the province, alleviate accessibility to health care and contribute to the reduction of long queues and waiting times”, concluded MEC Mahlangu.