DUT launches multi million clinic wing

THE new state-of-the-art R22 million refurbished Health Sciences clinic was officially launched at the Durban University of Technology’s Mansfield Hall recently.

The refurbishment of the DUT Faculty of Health Sciences clinic was enabled by a grant from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) through its Infrastructure Grants Programme. The Health Sciences clinic initially opened in the early 90s in response to the need for a facility for the training of students in the non-traditional professions like chiropractic, somatology and homeopathy.

With the merger and the growth of DUT student numbers, the clinic required refurbishment and expansion. An injection of funds from the DHET, helped to refurbish the clinic in 2013 to increase patient rooms and provide state of the art somatology facilities that competed with those in private settings.

Professor Lina Puckree, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Science, said the refurbished clinic was re-engineered to promote health and will play a significant role in promoting health care. “The clinic will serve two purposes, firstly as a training facility for DUT students to receive hands-on training and secondly to provide services to those who may not be able to afford private healthcare. Compared to the weekly patient load of approximately two to 25 per week in the 90s, the clinic now services about 300 chiropractic follow ups per week and at least 30 to 50 patients per week in each of the other clinics,” she said.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahmed Bawa gave thanks to the various role-players and the DUT team who were instrumental in seeing this project from start to finish.

“There are two strands in the DNA of DUT. The first is student-centredness and the second is engagement. The refurbishment of the health clinic that we are celebrating is vital to both these strands,” he said.

Guests were given a tour of the clinics which offer services in chiropractic, homoeopathy, somatology, dental (general dentistry and prosthetic replacement dentistry) and radiography. There are also plans to bring other clinics on board like clinical technology and medical orthotics and prosthetics.

Mtech Homeopathy student Alistair Makowe said, “The opening of the clinic is a very good opportunity for us to have practical learning in our field. I am very excited and I believe this is an opportunity as well for the university to give back to the community.”

eThekwini speaker Logie Naidoo was very impressed with the new clinic adding that this has taken DUT to a new level under the leadership of Prof Bawa. “With the National Health Insurance Act due to be implemented, this clinic will be affordable to the common man and play an important role in providing such a beneficial service to the communities in Durban,” he said.

The clinic also recently bought a Quantam vehicle which has been converted into a mobile clinic with DHET funds. This will allow the clinic to be supported by services in communities, thereby enhancing the exposure of DUT students to the real settings and providing services to those who need it the most.