R36m village clinics bring hope to community

An enthusiastic audience sang and danced when health MEC Helen Sauls-August opened two clinics in Zabasa and Mahlubini villages in Ngcobo and Cofimvaba on Friday.

The clinics cost a combined R36m with Mahlubini costing Bhisho R18.5m and the Zabasa facility R17.5m.

Speaking at the opening, Sauls-August said health centres in rural areas were important because residents had to travel longer distances for medical attention.

“This new building complies with the norms and standards in terms of the number of consulting rooms, and nursing staff, waiting area and especially equipment,” said Sauls-August.

The biggest difference between the old and new clinic is the space, with more consulting rooms and large waiting areas.

The area the clinic serves is almost 50km away from the nearest All Saints Hospital and there is no public transport.

Sauls-August said before the province could fully implement the national health insurance (NHI) the facilities first had to be up to date and up to standard.

This is despite her announcing at the state of the province address that they were ready to roll out the NHI.

The MEC said the Zabasa clinic would be dealing with communicable and non-communicable diseases, HIV-Aids treatment, diabetes and cancer screening, as well as having a proper maternity section.

She said there would be fulltime nurses and a doctor would visit once a month. Agents will provide home-based care for bedridden or immobile patients.

The Zabasa community members were delighted with the new developments.

“The previous facility was a mud structure. The construction of this building and its opening gives us a sense of restored dignity,” said Mphuthukezi Mbayisa.

The biggest difference between the old and new clinic is the space