KwaNokuthula Community Day Centre Officially Opens

Today (Monday, 18 April 2011) Western Cape Minister of Health, Mr Theuns Botha, officially opened the doors to the new KwaNokuthula Community Day Centre (CDC) in Bitou. The opening of the CDC will bring access to quality health service closer to the community of KwaNokuthula.

The new facility will render the full package of Integrated Primary Health Care services to more than 46 000 people in the Bitou sub-district. These services will include the full range of preventative services, services to patients with infectious diseases like TB, HIV and AIDS as well as management of patients with chronic diseases. The new CDC will operate from 07:30 until 16:00 when it opens.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, said, "this facility that we are opening today is the largest clinic that Western Cape Provincial Government has introduced in the past two years - a R35 million project. In the process of this project, 180 job opportunities were created".

"The project is an excellent example of good co-operation between the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works and the private sector - on time, within budget and my reports are that we have good quality workmanship here."

"With the Melkhoutfontein Clinic in Stilbaai due for completion in May this year, the Witlokasie Community Health Centre in Knysna that is set for completion in June 2013, we have certainly come a long way to bring facilities closer to the people living here. As for the status of hospitals in the area, the Knysna Hospital will undergo upgrades in the next two years and, in George, the Harry Comay TB Hospital: ARV Clinic and Ward upgrade is set for completion at the end of this year."

Once the CDC is fully operational, these hours will be adjusted to include extended hours. The facility is also able to stabilise emergency patients before referral to Knysna Hospital.

With a compliment of 30 staff members and fitted with the latest technology in X-ray imaging, dental equipment etc, the new CDC will ultimately improve the patients' experience when visiting this facility.

Issued by:
The Directorate: Communications, Western Cape Department of Health.