La Lucia clinic appeals for help

SINCE its inception, the La Lucia Clinic has been a welcome addition to the area, providing comprehensive care to the community. However, in recent times it has faced several challenges, from non-functioning air-conditioners to ceiling boards missing to toilets that don’t flush properly. Now a local resident, Robb Kerr, who is the chairperson of the La Lucia Clinic committee, has appealed to residents for help.

Kerr, who met with Northglen News last week, said the heat inside the clinic was cause for concern, not just for patients but also medication kept on site.

“At the moment, the humidity inside the clinic is cause for concern. The air-conditioning is not working and this is a problem because it poses a risk to the medication, which causes it to lose its efficacy. Several panels from the ceiling are missing and are in need of urgent repair. On average the clinic sees between 120 to 150 people a day, which is massive.

“As a local resident and library member, I realised how bad the situation was whenever I visited the library. This was the catalyst for me to try to do something about the situation. We are appealing to local residents who can offer their expertise to help the clinic out,” he said.

His thoughts were echoed by uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, who said he was meeting with senior city officials to find a way forward.

“Our first priority would be to get the air-conditioning working again. We are looking at long-term strategies that will benefit both the library and the clinic. Initially I thought of another structure being added onto the clinic to enhance it, but what is needed is the community to get involved to give the clinic a makeover, so to speak. We are appealing to plumbers, electricians and painters to help out,” he said.

If you would like to help out with the clinic’s makeover, e-mail rgkerr.za@gmail.com.