New Clinic for Thembalethu

The first soil was turned at the site for the new clinic in Zone 9, Thembalethu on Wednesday 15 April 2013.

This additional clinic for Thembalethu, which has an estimated population of 56 383, will provide the community with a first-class facility that will ultimately reduce the disease burden in the community and increase the quality of life for its inhabitants. It is envisioned that the patients of Zone 9 and surrounding areas will utilise the new clinic instead of Lawaaikamp Clinic and the present Thembalethu CDC. Mr Theuns Botha, Western Cape Health Minister, will officially open the clinic at the end of the year.  

The building will be approximately 600m² in size, with room for future expansion and will have a staff complement of 10. The clinic will render comprehensive Primary Health Care services including ARV and TB.

The Isisombululo Programme and the Western Cape Government Health with funding from the Hasso Plattner Foundation, started the planning almost three years ago.

The Isisombululo Programme is a partnership between the departments of Health and Social Development – Western Cape and the University of Cape Town. With over 30 sub-projects implemented in the initial nine years, the Isisombululo Programme has contributed dramatically to the support of HIV/AIDS and TB prevention, treatment, and care services for communities in the Southern Cape, Eden District. This project represents a significant partnership between government, academia, and the private sector to provide critical infrastructure to local communities. 

The Isisombululo Programme has worked with the George Municipality to secure a parcel of land for a nominal fee in Zone 9, Thembalethu. Council has approved the subdivision and rezoning of the land for the construction of the clinic.  Through a long planning process, a team encompassing the Isisombululo Programme, the George Municipality, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Works, professional engineers and the Ward Councillor, developed the project from its initial concept to its final plan. After a tendering process, Semper Prima Builders have been designated as the builder for the clinic construction.