Umbumbulu gets new mobile clinic
Communities in rural areas will now have access to healthcare, which has been sorely needed, through the mobile clinic.
ETHEKWINI Municipality mayor Cyril Xaba accepted a state-of-the-art health mobile clinic which was developed and handed over by Toyota South Africa Motors on July 31.
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The vehicle is going to be used by the City’s Health Unit to serve the people of wards 100 and 105 in Umbumbulu.
eThekwini spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the single cab 4×4 was converted to serve the needs of the rural communities as part of an eight-month pilot project, formalised through a memorandum of agreement between Toyota and the City to assess its effectiveness in providing services to these communities.
Xaba applauded the gesture from Toyota and said it was keeping up with the values that Nelson Mandela aspired to.
“We are delighted as a City that Toyota came on board to assist us in providing excellent primary healthcare to the people of uMbumbulu. We can only succeed as a nation if we continue to form such partnerships with the private sector,” said Xaba.
The vehicle boasts state-of-the-art features, including a freshwater tank for patients, a Wi-Fi connection, solar panels, a tilt bed, a microwave, a fridge and a service window.
Sisilana said the vehicle came after challenges were identified, which brought hardship to people residing in uMbumbulu when they needed health services. The challenges included bad road conditions and long walks to clinics.
Toyota SA president Andrew Kirby said the vehicle was tested on gravel roads to determine its compatibility with bad weather conditions before it was passed.
“This was a momentous occasion for us to be able to contribute meaningfully to our communities. We are committed to contributing to advancing our society,” said Kirby.
The City’s Health Unit will be training all healthcare workers using the vehicle to take health services to the respective communities.
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