Dis-Chem launches mobile clinics to improve primary health care

Rhiza Babuyile Clinic founder Alef Meulenberg said health-care plays an imperative role in ensuring balance and improving economic growth in communities.

5 hours ago

Sphiwe Masilela 1 minute read

One of the nine mobile clinics to help ease pressure on primary heath care facilities. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

In a bid to provide primary health care to various communities, Dis-Chem launched the #BetterTomorrowStartsHere initiative with newly built mobile clinics.

The launch took place at the Dis-Chem head office in Glen Austin on a cold morning on July 9.

Rui Morais, CEO of Dis-Chem, believes mobile clinics will play a huge role in the health sector. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

The partnership between Dis-Chem, the Dis-Chem Foundation, and Rhiza Babuyile, a Randburg-based NGO dedicated to community development, will see the expansion of primary health care services via the roll-out of nine mobile clinics nationwide.

Dis-Chem CEO, Rui Morais, said this would assist in addressing the health care needs of communities by expanding health care access and bringing essential medical services directly to individuals annually.

A group of attendees and various representatives pose for a group photo near the mobile clinic. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

“The company’s main aim of the project is to increase the health care sector in the country. We believe these mobile clinics will ease the congestion in our clinics, while ensuring that our people, irrespective of background, can access quality health care wherever they are,” said Morais.

Alef Meulenberg, Rhiza Babuyile clinic founder said, they hope to expand the mobile clinics across the country.

Rui Morai inside the mobile clinic after the ribbon cutting. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

He said about 45 million South Africans depend on the public health system.

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“As part of the #BetterTomorowStartsHere initiative, Rhiza Babuyile has been able to deploy an additional nine mobile clinics. Health care plays an imperative role; as a foundation, we aim to provide access to health care. Our goal is to support local government clinics, and the communities, by preventing the spread of diseases. We want to ensure that we provide for the less fortunate communities that cannot afford private health care,” said Meulenberg.

Lynette Saltzman of the Dis-Chem Foundation. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

He said, by providing quality health care, communities could reach their economic goals, and bring a sense of a better, stronger, and united nation of families.

Rhiza Babuyile currently has eight clinics around Johannesburg and Cape Town, and hopes to reach a million patients a year.