The City of Joburg launched a new mobile clinic at George Goch Men’s Hostel on October 29.
MMC for Health and Social Development Clr Mpho Phalatse, outgoing mayor Clr Herman Mashaba and MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services Clr Ntombi Khumalo attended the opening ceremony of the clinic.
The mobile clinic will serve the communities of the inner city, Jeppestown and surrounding areas in the east of Joburg.
“People in this area have been denied health care for so long. That will now change. We hope this clinic will make life easy for residents because they will not have to travel out of the area to get basic health care services,” said Phalatse.
“More clinics will be rolled out. People have the right to access health care, and this mobile clinic will be beneficiary to this area.
“We hope that residents will look after this clinic because it’s for them,” Mashaba said.
“If you see anyone trying to vandalise the clinic, I encourage you to report the incident to the police,” said Mashaba.
Phalatse said the mobile clinics are part of extending access to health care to areas and communities that were, and continue to be excluded from the health-care system.
“The mobile clinic costs R3.7-million.
“It is a full-functional clinic and is well equipped like any brick-and-water clinic,” said Phalatse.
The state-of-the-art clinic will have a capable staff complement of nine people working daily.
It will be staffed with nurses and an assistant, admin assistant, a general worker and a driver.
To be able to reach as many residents as possible, the city identified areas that will be served by the mobile clinic on specific days.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, the clinic will be based in Booysens informal settlement from 8am to 3pm.
The clinic will move to George Koch informal settlement on Wednesdays from 8.30am to 3pm and to Mangolongolo informal settlement from 8.30am to 3pm on Thursdays.
Ward 65 Clr Lindani Zulu said he was pleased that such a service has come to the area.
“People need basic health care in this area. Some people neglect their health because they have to travel to other clinics out of the area. If the clinic is at their door step, it makes it easier for these patients,” said Zulu.
A young mother who received health-care services on the day of the launch, Zelunetelo Shabalala, said she was happy about the clinic being based in the area.
“I came to Joburg in June and my child has not been to the clinic since then. I have missed some immunisation. “Now, my daughter can catch up with her immunisation, and I can also access the health care I need,” she said.
Services available at the clinic are:
• Chronic system treatment, including HIV counselling and testing, ART initiation, TB screening and treatment.
• Mother and child treatment, including EPI immunisation, integrated management of childhood diseases and antenatal screening.
• Family planning services, including Pap smears and prostate cancer screening.
• Treatment of minor ailments.
