Official Opening of Melkhoutfontein Clinic

Today (Monday, 28 November 2011), Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, officially opened the Melkhoutfontein Clinic. In his address, Minister Botha said that the previous clinic was in Heide Street but proved to be too small and uncomfortable, seeing that the facility services approximately 4 000 residents.

"The new facility we are opening today cost R3.3 million to complete. Construction took 7.5 months. It commenced on 7 February and was complete on 20 September this year. The facility covers 320m². Additional to the normal rooms in a clinic, such as a waiting area and ablutions, the new clinic offers five consulting rooms, access for the disabled and a pharmacy. It is spacious, modern and neat," said Minister Botha.

The new clinic offers the following services: curative, neonatal, women's health, psychiatry, HIV and TB, chronic medication, physiotherapy and dental services. The staff comprises of two clinical nurse practitioners and one enrolled nursing assistant. They are all from Melkhoutfontein and surrounds.

The clinic will be open on a Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 07:30 to 16:00. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, patients will be able to attend the Still Bay Clinic. There are regular taxis available for this purpose. A doctor from the region will see patients on Tuesdays. From here, patients who require more specialised treatment will be referred to Riversdale and George hospitals. Such patients are offered transport to the hospitals.

The profile of disease in Melkhoutfontein shows that the biggest challenges are hypertension and diabetes. At this stage the clinic treats 147 patients for hypertension and 51 for diabetes.