Upgrade of Kleinvlei Community Health Centre to Start in June

Following complaints about the long waiting times at the Kleinvlei Community Health Centre, the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town have made a decision to make structural changes to the current building to accomodate larger patient numbers.

The project is viewed as urgent and the extensions will start in June and completion is scheduled for June 2015.

It is envisaged that these improvements will ensure the facility remains operational and will be able to accommodate larger patient numbers for the next 10 years.

During the first phase, the pharmacy will be enlarged, and this will be followed by the second phase where the consultation area will be extended to create a larger sub-waiting area, additional consultation rooms and a store. The waiting area will also be upgraded with better signage, ventilation and improved natural lighting.

Patients will be kept informed of the extensions and if the construction should impact on the daily services of the health facility.

Western Cape Health Minister, Theuns Botha, says: “The extension demonstrates the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town’s commitment to being responsive and meeting the health needs of communities. However, the service pressures experienced at Kleinvlei are similar to service pressures experienced by health facilities across the province. It is critical that citizens also take responsibility for reducing the burden of disease in the Western Cape, which is placing major strain on our health system, by eating healthily, exercising regularly, practising safe sex and not abusing alcohol and drugs.”