Welcome boost for healthcare

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - One woman's dream of improved healthcare for her community led to a huge investment in clinic facilities for the greater Mossel Bay area.

Mossel Bay executive mayor Alderman Harry Levendal paid tribute to Nothusile Langa of Ward 3, whose dream of a clinic for the communities of Asla Park and surrounding areas came true when Energy Minister Jeff Radebe opened the facility officially on Thursday, 14 March.

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Mayor Levendal said: "This - yet to be named - clinic in Asla Park is the result of one woman not only complaining about the lack of facilities, but attending an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting and having the need for such a facility properly documented.

"Because it was reflected on the IDP, I could start the process of procuring the necessary funding.

"I thank PetroSA for funding not only this clinic, but also the extensions and additions at the Alma Clinic and the D'Almeida Clinic," the mayor said.

Minister Radebe said PetroSA, the state-owned enterprise under the Department of Energy, played a pivotal role in the delivery of social and economic infrastructure essential for service delivery and for the advancement of communities. "The facilities handed over today will have a significantly positive impact on people of the community of KwaNonqaba and will move us closer to the realisation of a better life for all," Radebe said.

D'Almeida clinic
This project involved the extension of existing infrastructure, at a cost of R3,9 million, to include the medical dispensing unit and the widening of the waiting area and the consulting rooms.

Radebe said: "During the construction phase of the project, employment opportunities were offered to more than 60 people including local residents and some from surrounding areas.

"The main contractor for this extension was a 100% local BEE company which used local material and afforded at least 85% of labour to local people.

"To date, 4 647 patient visits were recorded since the opening in October 2017of the dental unit, where services range from dental consultations, treatment of pain and sepsis, dental X-rays, dental fillings, cleaning of teeth and fissure sealants to fluoride treatments. This clinic currently treats on average about 12 000 patients."

Alma clinic
The construction of a new dental unit at a cost of R3 million was completed in 2017. The dental unit moved from Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital to provide dental care services closer to the community.

A 100% BEE local company was used, employing at least 90% of local labour and locally sourced material.

Asla Park clinic
This is a brand new clinic which was built at a total cost of R17 million.

PetroSA used a 100% BEE local company during the construction phase of the project and all the sub-contractors were also appointed locally. The clinic, the first of its kind in the Southern Cape, will alleviate the load from the Alma and D'Almeida clinics, and boasts a fully functional in-house pharmacy, along with major primary healthcare services.

Radebe said: "The total value of investment made by PetroSA to the healthcare services in this community is R23,9 million.

"We are proud as the Department of Energy to have provided oversight over our own entity, PetroSA, during the execution of these projects, whose main objective is to deliver better healthcare facilities in order to ensure a better life for all," he said.

The minister was accompanied by Bongani Sayidini (PetroSA acting CEO), Tau Masemola (PetroSA Director), Professor Nomafrench Mbombo (Western Cape MEC for Health), Mossel Bay executive mayor Alderman Harry Levendal, Nhlanhla Gumede (chairman of PetroSA board) and Sakhiwo Makhanya (Central Energy Fund acting CEO).

Protect them
Minister Radebe urged the community of KwaNonqaba to look after these facilities and guard them against theft, destruction and vandalism.

"These facilities are yours; make sure future generations will also benefit from the services.

"Collectively we must condemn the acts of vandalism, often excused by ptotests against a lack of service delivery or related protests. Surely it cannot be that while we want more development, we destroy the developmental strides already attained."

Siyabulela Siyekwana and his Bay Harmonic choir performed for the large crowd of supporters and were surprised by Minister Radebe when they received beautiful formal attire to use when next they perform.

Siyabulela Siyekwana (right) and his Bay Harmonic choir performed for the large crowd who attended tho official opening of the Asla Park Clinic.