City of Joburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo was accompanied by the Premier of Gauteng Province David Makhura and the MEC for Health, Dr Bandile Masuku today (20 February) to officially open the Ebony Park-Kaalfontein Community Health Centre in Ward 111 Region A.
Dr Masuku visited the centre yesterday and offered support for the staff who works the night shift. The clinic has been operating since the end of January but was officially opened on 20 February.
The community is up and early getting in a workout at the Ebony Park Clinic ahead of #EbonyClinicOpening. #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/2xNBQRrrqS
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
Farmer, Olivia Mehlwenkomo gives us a little background info on how she got started with the Food Resilence Unit, where she’s based and the works. #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^NS pic.twitter.com/j52JdkARCA
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
Director for @cojhealth Dr Refik Bismilla talks about the kinds of services that will be added on in the facility. #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/fdgWHHzHwX
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
Mme Ponki Libapo details how her produce goes towards feeding underprivileged students at Wits University, to ensure students don’t go hungry… the food resilience unit is making strides @GeoffMakhubo #WeServeJoburg #EbonyClinicOpening ^NS pic.twitter.com/NjW3CMOEje
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
The City of Joburg said that the state-of-the-art 24-hour clinic offers primary healthcare, casualty, mid-wife obstetrics and emergency care services, seven days a week. The 1 500-square metre centre also consists of TB and ARV departments, a waiting area and ante-natal care unit.
Dr Masuku said, “We have launched an application called Impilo. Community members can use it to call and track an ambulance and put their suggestions and grievances about the services they have received.”
He said that the process of opening the clinic has been long and difficult. The community specifically requested that the clinic must not only offer primary health care but also emergency services.
Previously, residents in and around the area were forced to travel great distances to access mid-wife obstetrics and casualty services at Tembisa hospital and Esangweni Community Health Centre.
#EbonyClinicOpening ^LM pic.twitter.com/Vd09TWVCha— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
The community rejoices as @bandilemasuku says the clinic welcomed it's first newborn baby last month. #EbonyClinicOpening
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
@bandilemasuku says they felt it was important to have the clinic running before they celebrated it's opening #EbonyClinicOpening
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
@bandilemasuku says they are prioritising promoting a healthy lifestyle and educating community members about health matters #EbonyClinicOpening
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
Vongani Hlovu is at the #EbonyClinicOpening with her children Vunolo and Vukahle. She says, " I love the clinic and their service, before this clinic we had to go to Thuthukani and Swazi in which is far for me. I had to use public transportation but now I can walk to our clinic." pic.twitter.com/1ZspuGkAT4
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
Sibongile Masuka says, "I feel happy about this new clinic, I love the perfect service they offer us with. The clinic is very close I no longer have to go far for consultation." #EbonyClinicOpening pic.twitter.com/ND8f9IRQdn
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
Nandiwe Mtamzeli says, " I feel happy, before we had to stand long hours in queues, but with the newly launched clinic we do not have to wait." #EbonyClinicOpening pic.twitter.com/bP5wc0DpGQ
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) February 20, 2020
Operational Manager Tiny Aphane says the 24 Hour clinic is ready to serve Joburgers. #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/nFoimFR6RS
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
Public Servants are ready to serve and welcome you ????. #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/wUrAWiS3GW
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
Here’s a glimpse inside the Ambulances????????, the equipment is tip top shape #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/HmJwIfH78F
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
????????Meet the Pharmacist of the Ebony Clinic, she takes us through the pharmacy. #EbonyClinicOpening #WeServeJoburg ^LM pic.twitter.com/ynSghBuMix
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 20, 2020
The clinic also has a maternity ward for the community’s expectant mothers. This will provide much-needed relief to the community.
Masuku added that the clinic has 18 consulting rooms and will soon have X-ray facilities and labs, which means that ‘residents won’t have to go all the way to Tembisa’.
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