By Tabisa Mntengwana
24 July 2009

BUFFALO City has benefited from the Eastern Cape Province’s Outreach Tour, which started earlier this year, with hospital upgrades and a new clinic in Nxarhuni.

Health care was the focus of a walkabout by the City and the Eastern Province’s Executive Committee Outreach Tour on Wednesday, 22 July, with officials visiting Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital in Mdantsane and Thembalethu Clinic in Nxarhuni.

The officials were at the hospital to survey the construction that is under way. Speaking about the work, the chief executive of the East London Hospital Complex, Vuyo Mosana, said: “The facilities are being added to increase the hospital complex and make room for other areas, such as casualty and emergency sections.”

The new section will contain a mortuary, a store room, a laundry and the main kitchen.

According to a press release issued by the Eastern Cape Office of the Premier, the purpose of the outreach tour, which is visiting all districts, is to outline the government’s programme for the current term.

“As the government we are aware of the challenges confronting the province; however, the outreach seeks to interact with people with a view to collectively craft a common approach to deal with [these] challenges.”

The visitors included the portfolio head for health and public safety, John Badenhorst; ward councillor, Yongama James; proportional representative councillor, Monwabisi Mnikina; ward councilllor, Mthuthuzeli Pakade; proportional representative councillor, Kholisile Mpupusi; and the portfolio head for Integrated Development Plan, budget, policy and performance, Sindiswa Gomba.

The next stop was Thembalethu Clinic, for its opening ceremony. Gomba gave the welcome address, indicating that the relationship between Buffalo City and the province was strengthened by initiatives of this nature.

“The people of Nxarhuni have been pleading with the municipality to open a clinic in this area and we gladly present it to you and we urge you to look after it.”

Emphasising the need to take care of the province’s clinical facilities, the deputy director-general of clinical services, Nandi Diliza, said: “The clinic is yours and is here to serve your needs.”

Thembalethu Clinic, which cost R5,6-million and was paid for by the provincial department of health, has primary health care facilities and five professional nurses.

The day ended with the unveiling of a plaque and cutting of a ribbon to declare the clinic officially open.