Informal settlements in and around Isipingo will now have primary health care services delivered to them more reliably thanks to a mobile clinic that has been donated to Isipingo Clinic by SAPREF.
The clinic delivers services such as HIV counselling and testing and immunisation campaigns to residents of informal settlements Isipingo Beach, Dakota, the Transit Camp and other informal settlements in the area.
The mobile clinic is part of several projects that SAPREF handed over to South Durban communities today. With a total investment of over R1miilon, the projects include:
1. the renovation of an ablution block at the outpatients department of Wentworth Hospital.
2. 20 new state-of-the-art beds for the labour ward at McCord Hospital.
3. a Mercedes Vito vehicle which has been converted to a mobile clinic for Isipingo clinic.
4. a Mercedes Vito vehicle for a Merebank organisation that assists with training and job creation projects for people with disabilities.
5. a Toyota Avanza vehicle for Sizanodumo, an Umlazi NGO that runs a home-based care programme.
6. equipping a Victim Friendly Centre for the Wentworth Police Station.
7. the installation of air-conditioning units at Isipingo clinic.
8. equipment and the erection of a carport to the bluff clinic.
9. wheelchairs for a senior citizens organisation that works in Wentworth and Lamontville
Speaking at the launch, SAPREF's Managing Director, Mr Robin Mooldijk, said: "The projects are part of SAPREF's broader social investment programme and are aimed at uplifting social services and improving the quality of life for SAPREF’s neighbours. They represent our commitment to sustainable community development."
Tessa Beaunoir, a nurse at Isipingo Clinic, summed up the feeling of many beneficiary organisations about how the projects will improve service delivery to communities: She said: “Early next year we will be undertaking an extensive campaign to immunise children against measles. The mobile clinic will ensure that we reach as many children as possible, which would have been difficult before because many of our clinics share only one mobile clinic.”
For more information please contact:
Margaret Rowe
Communications Manager
SAPREF
Tel: 031 480 1892 or 082 880 4905
Margaret.rowe@sapref.com