Newly revamped Jeppe Clinic officially handed over
JEPPE – The clinic now boasts new features that will allow people adequate health services.
Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development MEC, Jacob Mamabolo officially handed over a revamped Jeppe Clinic to the Gauteng Department of Health.
Mamabolo handed over the clinic to MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa on 30 October after it was shut down in April.
The 100-year-old clinic now boasts new paving, plumbing, air conditioning, as well as new ceilings and toilet facilities for the disabled patients visiting the institution.
According to the department, the work that was done at the clinic forms part of a strategy by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) to prioritise the maintenance of existing infrastructure while rolling out new infrastructure.
Mamabolo said GPG has completed conditional assessments of 33 health facilities, mainly hospitals, with a view of rating these facilities so that it can plan a coherent maintenance plan to bring all these to a level where they can meet the demands of the people of the province.
The MEC said he is happy with the work that has been done especially with the time it has taken his department to restore this building to the condition that it is in today.
“What we have done here is extend the lifespan of this facility by ensuring that the building is ready to deal with the new challenges of modern society,” said Mamabolo.
“Due to its age, the clinic was unable to cope with high volumes of patients as it was originally built to service a few. Due to the change in climatic conditions as well, the building’s drainage system could not cope with heavy rains and as a result, the department had to overhaul the entire drainage.”
Ramokgopa, who was receiving the clinic from Mamabolo, reiterated that the clinic was a ‘sick building’ adding that it made staff and patients ill due to mouldy and damp walls.
She said this clinic services just under 20 000 people and it is one of the valuable services the department provides for the inner city.
“I’m very excited that we have come this far in terms of refurbishing the clinic,” said Ramokgopa.
“I will further engage MEC Mamabolo on other areas concerning the clinic which were not part of the scope for the refurbishments, such as parking space for the ambulance and staff parking lot.”
The clinic will open to the public in two weeks’ time after the Gauteng Department of Health has completed deep cleaning, fitted equipment and stocking medical supplies.
Details: Theo.Nkonki@gauteng.gov.za
