Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
GAUTENG HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPENS POORTJE CLINIC
The MEC for Health, Mr Amos Masondo opened a clinic in Poortje today. In his speech Mr Masondo said what makes the building of clinics critical is the glaring absence of clinics and Primary Health Care infrastructures. He estimated the backlog of these needs to be more than 100 clinics.
In Gauteng "clinic building and upgrading project will ensure that an estimated 2 million people who were previously denied access to basic health care will now benefit", said Mr Masondo. The MEC further indicated that there are 14 more clinics which are under construction and are due for completion this year. 24 other clinics have already been built since 1995 and provide comprehensive health care to all.
These clinics will provide the following:
- Immunisation of children to prevent illness and to ensure their healthy growth as health problems are picked up and treated early. - Information on the prevention of STDs, HIV as well as the prevention of teenage pregnancy. - Promotion of healthy life style. - Information and advice for pregnant women. - Prevention and treatment of curable diseases such as TB, etc.
The Poortjie Clinic, which is near Lenasia, will cater for the primary health needs of approximately 17 000 people of this informal settlement. The only formal structures in this area are two schools and this clinic. The clinic has cost R500 000, of which R92 000 was for equipment. The annual running costs of this clinic are just over R1.2 million. Structural and services expansion of this clinic will be completed this year. During the construction of the clinic 68 local residents were employed in unskilled and semi-skilled jobs.
The MEC also stated that these services are being delivered within the context of a shrinking health budget. Thus, this necessitated the formulation and development of a plan which will ensure (1) equity in health care delivery and staff distribution, (2) rationalisation of hospital services, (3) strengthening of primary health care and, (4) the strict alignment of expenditure to the budget so as to ensure quality and effective care delivery. This means that whilst restructuring continues health services are expanded.
For more information please contact: Popo Maja at (011) 355-3543 or 082 373 1169