Opening of the Renovated Orchard Clinic, First Health Post and Certificate Ceremony

The Western Cape Minister of Health, Mr Theuns Botha together with the South African Table Grape Association, will celebrate the handover of the newly renovated Orchard Clinic in De Doorns to the Department of Health today.

The Clinic in Orchard was reopened in 2007, after the Department responded to the needs of the burgeoning community of Farm workers, permanent and migratory. The building and surrounding property were originally owned by Western Cape Agri, whom handed it over to HEXCOOL, from where it was donated to the Department of Health. The Clinic is the first port of call for the approximately one thousand three hundred (1300) patients per month.

The renovations which were initiated and paid for by the SA Table Grape Association's Social Responsibility Fund included the upgrading of the waiting area, the installation of smaller basins which allows for more space in consulting rooms, alterations to facilitate storage, increased security and privacy and an air extraction unit in the triage area. The total cost of the renovations is one hundred and thirty-five thousand rand (R135 000).

The Minister will oversee the opening of the first Community Based Worker Health post in the De Doorns area. The Health Post serves patients whom previously only had limited access to healthcare. The project which is jointly funded by farmers in the area and the Department of Health, aims to provide prevention and promotion healthcare.

Minister Botha will use this event as an opportunity to congratulate and present certificates to twenty-five (25) farm workers who received training in Home Based Care. The Cape Women's Forum presents the training which is funded by the Department of Health.

Issued by:
Directorate Communications
Western Cape Department of Health