New ARV Clinic at Delft Community Health Centre | Western Cape Government

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New ARV Clinic at Delft Community Health Centre

4 October 2010

The unacceptable situation of HIV- and TB-patients sharing queues with pregnant women and young babies at the Delft Community Health Centre (CHC) have finally come to an end with the official opening of the new ARV Clinic at Delft CHC today.

In May this year, Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, turned the first soil at the CHC, and today he officially opened the new clinic.

To date the antiretroviral and antenatal services have been delivered in one room, which was often overcrowded and posed health risks to patients, infants and staff, with pregnant women having to travel to Bishop Lavis Midwife Obstetric Unit for births. In the last three (3) years the population of Delft has increased drastically and simultaneously it became necessary to provide a full package of maternity services. The building will improve client flow, allow for better health care for HIV/TB patients and help prevent cross contamination of diseases.

Through the mediation of the SA Medical & Education Foundation, Adcock-Ingram sponsored the R1.5 million renovation of the building, which was originally an ambulance station. The ambulances were relocated to the Tygerberg Hospital site, and the building converted into a clinic with eleven (11) consultation rooms and a waiting area for seventy (70) patients.

Supporting furniture and equipment was sponsored by Thuo-Slots, Kolok, Coca-Cola Canners, Entyce Beverages, T-Systems, Deli Spices, Authentix and Set Point.

The Delft Community Health Centre serves a rapidly growing indigent population of over five hundred and twenty thousand (520 000) people. Monthly attendance at the clinic averages thirty thousand (30 000), with a growth of five hundred (500) new patients per month. By the end of August this year two thousand three hundred and sixty eight (2368) adults and eighty six (86) children were on anti-retroviral treatment at the CHC. In addition to this, eight hundred and thirty five (835) adults and six (6) children were on similar treatment at the nearby Delft South Clinic.

In his address, Botha said: "The opening of this clinic once again marks a significant milestone in the public private sector partnership in fighting HIV/Aids." He thanked the donors for equipment and furniture and the SA Medical and Education Foundation for securing the sponsorship from Adcock-Ingram for the physical renovation of the building.

Issued by:
Theuns Botha
Western Cape Minister for Health

Media Enquiries: 

Helene Rossouw
Media Liaison
Western Cape Ministry of Health
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
Fax: 021 483 4143
Email: herossou@pgwc.gov.za