Mtuba ‘mini hospital’ is one step closer
MTUBATUBA residents expressed their collective appreciation for the construction of a Community Health Centre (CHC) in the area because this, once complete, will bring far-flung health services closer to home.
Dukuduku resident Samkelo Mthembu said the 'mini hospital' will be of great help to locals because many clinics in the area do not operate for 24 hours, as opposed to the CHC, which KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane confirmed will operate for hours.
Mthembu said another issue the new CHC will address is the scarcity of ambulances, which currently travel long distances rushing injured patients or women in labour to nearby hospitals.
Addressing attendees at Friday's CHC sod-turning ceremony in Mtubatuba, MEC Simelane indicated that it was former Mtubatuba mayor Thobelani
Verus Ngcamphalala’s pressure, which included pointing out that the nearest hospitals for Mtubatuba residents are Hlabisa (40km away) and Richards Bay (60km away), which resulted in the decision to construct the CHC in the area.
“I am very happy about the hospital and I regularly need health services for my asthma, so now that means I can travel 20 to 30 minutes from Dukuduku to town to the new hospital,” said Mthembu.
“We are really grateful that we have reached this milestone,” she said.
Zandile Simelane from oGengele said travelling from her home to Mtubatuba takes about 30 minutes, which will be far better than the 1 hour 30 minutes or so travel to either Hlabisa or Richards Bay.
“The building of the hospital will also create job opportunities for our children,” she said.
Mfekayi resident Nosipho Ndlazi said the CHC would also take the load off local clinics, which are sometimes full and services are provided at a snail's pace.
“Sometimes there is no medication at local clinics,” lamented Ndlazi.
The MEC said the CHC will be constructed at a cost of over R540-million, and 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
Simelane said once complete, 340 personnel will be employed on a permanent basis, which will include nurses, doctors, dentists, dieticians, optometrists and pharmacists, among others.
A total of 17 doctors will be employed, said Simelane, who added that the centre will also treat issues affecting women and children, all chronic diseases, with immunisation done at the facility.
Birth facilities will also be available, and seven beds will be set aside for mothers to stay while their sick children are being treated.
KZN Premier Nomusa DubeNcube, who attended the sod-turning ceremony alongside Inkosi Ntokozo Mkhwanazi, uMkhanyakude District Mayor Siphile Mdaka and Mtubatuba Mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa, said the provincial government is pleased with the Department of Health’s Isibhedlela Kubantu programme because this means health services are brought closer to communities, including rural ones.