Jubilation as Mayor opens Mpumelelo clinic
24-04-2015
Elated Ivory Park residents cheered and ululated as Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau on Thursday cut the ribbon to officially open the recently revamped Mpumelelo Clinic.
Refurbished at a cost of R14.3 million, the state-of-the-art facility replaces a four-roomed asbestos structure built in 1993 to relieve congestion at the nearby Hikhensile Clinic.
Delivering the keynote address, Mayor Tau said there was nothing more rewarding than ensuring improved quality of life by providing world-class clinics and encouraging residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
“By delivering this world-class clinic, the City of Johannesburg ensures quality healthcare access, in turn improving life expectancy for all,” said Mayor Tau.
He said the redevelopment of the clinic was a critical step towards ensuring universal access to healthcare.
The clinic will provide a wide range of quality healthcare services, including:
l Reproductive health;
l Maternal health (antenatal and postnatal services);
l Emergency services;
l Women’s healthcare services;
l Treatment of HIV-Aids and sexually transmitted diseases;
l Child health and immunisations;
l Acute illness management;
l Mental health services; and
l Management of chronic conditions.
The Mayor said the City would in a year’s time assess the clinic to determine the quality of life and life expectancy it would have brought about.
Mpumelelo Clinic services an average of 4 131 patients a month, of whom 1 200 are on antiretroviral medication.
From July last year to February this year, the health staff of 49 nurses attended to a total of 33 044 patients, 5 561 of whom were children under the age of five.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Councillor Nonceba Molwele said the redevelopment of the clinic was a demonstration of the City’s commitment to bringing tangible service delivery to all residents.
“The Mpumelelo Clinic is for the community. It will bridge the gap of healthcare inequality and bring comprehensive care to this community. We are leaving the clinic in the hands of this community and appeal to them to be responsible and accountable for the care of the facility,” said MMC Molwele.
Regional Health Director Nelly Shongwe said the upgrade had turned a previously unsuitable clinic into a modern brick-and-mortar structure with a fully equipped emergency room, an Isolation room and five consultation rooms.
Community member Josephine Mpofu said the newly refurbished clinic was a game-changer for the residents of Ivory Park.
“Having accessible quality healthcare in our community has brought with it optimism. We are confident it will improve the quality of life of all who visit the facility,” said Mpofu.