​Lerato Mailoane
The opening of the new R80-million Greenspark clinic marks the end of the struggle for Merafong residents who travelled about 10km to access public health care.
The clinic, situated in the outskirts of Focheville town in West Rand will cater for the community of Greenspark, Plakkers informal settlement and surrounding farms.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura, on Wednesday, unveiled the clinic accompanied by MEC for Health, Nomathemba Mokgethi and MEC for Infrastructure Development, Tasneem Motara.
"The community of Greenspark fought for this clinic and we had to deliver. I am proud that eventually we are able to deliver this beautiful structure. Please take care of it and it is yours not the Governments," Makhura.
Makhura said the construction of the clinic will not only give the community primary health care but that the facility would meet standards that will make it possible for the National Health Insurance (NHI) to be rolled out.
"Building new clinics, upgrading existing health care facilities, provision of personnel, equipment, medicine and transport, are all part and parcel of improving health service delivery in the province.
"In addition to building new clinics, government is working hard to improve the quality of care that is provided within all our health care facilities," Makhura said.
The Greenspark Clinic is part of the Gauteng government's plan to revitalise health infrastructure and improve the quality of health care services in the province.
Makhura said this is also in line with our Growing Gauteng Together 2030 plan which aims to improve the patient experience by offering 24-hour services in all the 32-community health centres.
"We will also ensure that by 2025, all patient medical records are digitised."
The clinic will render several health services, including antenatal care, chronic diseases, minor ailments, mental healthcare services, oral health services amongst others.
It comprises other supporting facilities such as a caretaker house, ablution block, soccer field, general store, electrical battery room, gas bottle store, generator store, and pump house amongst others.
The project created job opportunities for 104 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants, offering a wide range of training including brick laying and steel fixing.
The design of the clinic was developed from the clinic prototype designs that were provided by the Department of Infrastructure Development and was approved by the Health Department.
Makhura urged the community to use the clinic to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
"COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death in the event one contracts the coronavirus. The chances of a vaccinated person going to the hospital after contracting coronavirus are very low," said Makhura.