EKURHULENI – The need for improved primary health care facilities has been made evident by the new Tswelopele Clinic which, in just a week of opening, has seen over 670 patients while the one month old Palm Ridge Clinic has attended to over 6000 patients.
In addressing the diverse range of community needs and acting towards alleviating overcrowding in clinics the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) is pleased to introduce the two fully fledged Level-2 clinics namely Tswelopele in Vosloorus and Palm Ridge Clinic in Palm Ridge.
Healthcare centers are a place that should give one assurance that their ailments will be attended to and that they will return home satisfied by the service they received. According to Palm Ridge resident Phumla Chebane, her new clinic is exactly that.
“The state of the old Palm Ridge clinic never inspired hope; I only went there because I had no other choice. However when I visit the new clinic I already feel better when I step in,” said Chebane.
“There is a larger waiting area with benches for us to sit while we wait for a nurse to attend to us and I am comfortable with my child playing around because it is cleaner,” she continued.
Improved primary health care services are a necessity that has the potential to prevent hospital admissions when community members receive adequate assistance. The most common challenge that was experienced at both facilities was the lack of space which also inhibited the healthcare providers’ ability to provide quality services.
“I am very excited about the new clinic,” said Nomtha Mengwayi the Clinic Head at Tswelopele Clinic.
“Patients will have more privacy as separate rooms will be used for different functions. Previously one office was as an emergency room and a doctor’s consultation room, which at times limited the number of services provided at the facility.”
While Palm Ridge and Vosloorus residents are enjoying the new clinics the EMM is currently in the process of constructing eight more clinics to continue enhancing resident’s primary health care facilities.
The following clinics are currently under construction:
* Motsamai Clinic in Katlehong;
* Villa Lisa Clinic in Vosloorus;
* Dukathole Clinic in Germiston;
* Khumalo Clinic in Katlehong;
* Tsietsi Clinic in Katlehong;
* Crystal Park Clinic in Benoni;
* Selope Thema in Kwa-Thema;
* Esangweni Clinic in Tembisa.
