During 2014/15, plans were put in place for an exciting new project aimed at bringing advanced medical care to residents of disadvantaged areas. The first state-of-the-art mobile clinic was launched early in the 2015/16 financial year in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg.
The clinic is a partnership of the Telkom Foundation, Phillips SA, Gauteng Department of Health, development non-governmental organisation (NGO), Babuyile, Nozala Trust and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Speaking at the launch, Gauteng MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, assured South Africans of her department’s commitment to doing all in its power to make citizens’ healthcare top of the agenda.
The mobile clinic, staffed by a professional and assistant nurse, and a dental therapist and an assistant, provides healthcare for pregnant women, babies and children, along with dental services. The clinic is fitted with ultrasound sonar, advanced cardio technology and telemedicine equipment that can be used to link up with selected hospitals via the internet.
The service allows dental patients needing x-rays to have these on site. The x-rays are sent to a hospital for assessment and advice while the patient waits, which lowers his cost and obviates the need for him or her to visit a hospital.
The Telkom Foundation sponsors the internet connectivity and telemedicine equipment, worth R423 000.
Commenting on the mobile clinic partnership, Babuyile Community Development Programme Manager, Nick Henry, says: “We are confident that the mobile clinic will provide and improve primary healthcare in township communities that currently lack regular access to these services.”
The pilot project will run for a year in Diepsloot, Cosmo City and Orange Farm.
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