The community of Phola, Ogies, received a new primary healthcare facility of about R17m on August 31. The minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe, and the CEO of Seriti Resources, Mike Teke, officially handed over this new facility to the minister of health, Dr Joe Phaahla, as part of the Social and Labour Plan project implemented by Seriti Coal and Khutala Colliery.
Mike Teke.
The population in Phola is growing, and there was a need to revive the old clinic and improve the provision of healthcare.
This new health facility has six consulting rooms, three virtual rooms, an emergency room, a dispensary, and other rooms supporting the daily operations. The construction of the facility created 56 direct and indirect job opportunities, and developed skills, as training was provided to the employees.
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The Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, said, “We are grateful for this partnership between the government and Seriti Resources, which will benefit our people. We are also glad to announce that currently, the Mpumalanga Department of Health is moving with speed to achieve an ideal status for all our health facilities.”
Mantashe said, “The community of Phola should know that the clinic is for them, and they must look after their assets. They must desist from destroying their own assets in the name of demanding other services. The Social and Labour Plans and Integrated Development Plan should confer to address the many issues in the communities.”
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Accepting the health facility, Phaahla said, “When I received an invitation to come here, I did not hesitate to come through for such a gift. The construction of the clinic is a major contribution to the universal health coverage. I have no doubt this clinic will reach an ideal clinic status and improve access to primary healthcare services.”