Community Meeting Held to Present Plans for New Clinic

“Sir, on behalf of the Rawsonville community, I would like to thank you that we are getting a new clinic, I just have one question, when?”  This was the question, posed by Mrs Dolly Goedeman,  that garnered enthusiastic applause from members of the Rawsonville community.  

The Western Cape Government hosted a community dialogue in the small town of Rawsonville  to present the plans of the new clinic.  The new facility will be situated close to the largest neighbourhood of DeNova and within walking distance from the town and will cost just under R16 million to build. The facility will be almost 900m² in size and will provide ample parking and easy access for emergency vehicles.

Although the necessity of a new clinic has long been known to the department, as the old four-room facility could no longer accommodate the dignified delivery of health services, the identifying of a suitable piece of land has been challenging. This challenge was overcome when the Breede Valley Municipality made suitable land available for the building of a clinic.

The new clinic is designed in such a way as to promote easy flow of patients and less walking distance between care points for staff members. In an effort to increase patient friendliness, areas such as the TB Treatment area, where some patients need to visit daily for medication, is situated close to the main entrance, thus encouraging compliance and adherence.

The new clinic will have the following areas:

• Reception
• Patient administration areas
• Women and child care unit
• Infectious illness unit
• Pharmacy
• Consultation rooms
• Public toilets and waiting areas
• Covered waiting area for early arrivals

The facility will further make use of solar panels and a heat pump to add to the department’s aim of 110% Green. Added to the positive healing environment, the facility will boast an enclosed courtyard visible from all waiting areas and will allow for fresh air and safe play area for children. Furthermore, passages all have sky lights to allow for natural light, which will reduce the use of electricity.

“Our commitment, as a Government, to delivering health facilities that are accessible and equipped to provide the best service to the citizens of the Western Cape remains unchanged. The residents of Rawsonville will soon enjoy the use of a health facility specially designed to cater for the needs of their community. The Western Cape Government will continue to prioritise the delivery and the on-going maintenance of health infrastructure,” said Minister Carlisle.

The contractor,  O Fouten & Sons  who has been appointed, is currently following due process in the appointment of local labour and sourcing of material. The building process should take no longer than 14 months, weather permitting.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Mr Theuns Botha stated: “The building and upgrading of facilities in the Western Cape and specifically in rural areas such as Rawsonville form part of our strategy of developing wellness in communities. A healthy, informed community is a resilient and productive one. When people enjoy good health they are able to form part of the broader spectrum of society and contribute to the profitability and quality of life in that community.  Western Cape Government Health believes that we have a partnership with our public. That partnership includes that we ensure that we have facilities such as the new clinic where our staff can practice a high quality of care, but the community should engage in actively seeking out a healthier lifestyle. If we both do our share we can be better together.”