GAUTENG Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko officially opened the newly built Zola Wits Dental Clinic in Soweto.
The clinic was officially opened on Friday, 15 September, after the old clinic was closed in September 2019 due to the safety concerns it posed to patients and staff, as it was built with materials containing asbestos.
The new brick-and-mortar structure, with expanded services, will enable the communities of Soweto to have access to dental health care once again.
Acting head of the School of Oral Health Sciences at the Wits Witwatersrand, Professor Joy Shackleton, said the partnership happened because the university realised it must be a path of people.
Deputy Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits, Professor Lindelani Mnguni, said the clinic doesn’t belong to Wits, but they participated.
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"The clinic belongs to the people. It is up to residents what you do with the clinic. We, however, do not wish to come back next year and hear that the clinic was burnt down due to a strike. We want you to take care of this facility,” he said.
The MEC said she is happy to unveil the remarkable transformation that has taken place.
“What once stood as a prefabricated asbestos structure has now emerged as a solid, state-of-the-art building. This change not only ensures a secure environment for all who walk through our doors, but also stands as a testament to our dedication to progress and innovation,” said the MEC.
She explained that the refurbishment was made possible through the important collaboration between the Wits and its generous donor.
The new building encompasses a host of facilities tailored to meet the diverse needs of patients and students. It has seven consulting rooms and an additional eight student supervision consulting areas.
The facility will operate from Monday to Friday, at 8am until 4pm.
