Mobile clinic boost for Botshabelo residents

Mobile clinic boost for Botshabelo residents
The Pule Sefatsa Clinic in Botshableo, east of Bloemfontein, has set up a mobile clinic for residents of the new settlement of Section R. (Photo: Freepik)

The Free State Department of Health is extending basic health services to various areas to ensure that people of all ages have access to healthcare, with the Pule Sefatsa Clinic, in Botshabelo east of Bloemfontein, providing services to the newly-established Section R informal settlement.

Clinic committee chairperson Thabiso Khalala said it was important to provide services to the settlement to ensure that people have access to healthcare. “Botshabelo is the biggest township with only one clinic servicing three to five sections.”

The clinic staff visit the settlement once a week and Khalala believes this may be extended to twice per week or more if government hires more staff.

Permanent clinic on wish list

“All people, everywhere, deserve the right care, within their communities. We are hopeful that the frequency of visits can grow to a point where we do more than two visits per week to eventually establishing a permanent clinic in this area,” he said.

The current total patient register reports over 35 000 patients for the clinic and Khalala is grateful to clinic management for establishing the mobile clinic.

Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi admitted that there was a need for more clinics to be built in Botshabelo.

“In Botshabelo there are more than eight sections that are sharing three clinics and this is putting strain on patients and staff. That’s why we have introduced courier services for the delivery of medication,” he said.

“Currently, we are running out of adequate mobile clinic capacity for rural communities, but we are grateful to donors who continues to support us. In areas that we do not reach with the mobile clinic, we are working with churches and schools to host clinic facilities and staff once a week so we can deliver services to the people.”

The Pule Sefatsa Clinic services the communities of sections U, W, V, and S, as well as the newly-established section R in Botshabelo. Residents such as Themba Mongalo and Alice Mokoena said they are grateful for the mobile clinic services, but also look forward to a permanent facility being established. – Health-e News 

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