WEDNESDAY, 13 September was a happy day for Mathibela residents in Oakley outside Mkhuhlu, Mpumalanga.
This as Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane finally handed over a state-of-the-art-clinic. She was joined by Health MEC Sasekani Manzini and the Mathibela chief and Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders chairman Kgoshi Mathibela Mokoena.
Mtsweni-Tsipane said the population in the village is about 14 706, which made them qualify for the eight-hour operating clinic, which will be upgraded to 24 hours soon.
"The staff members must put themselves second and put patients first. Now, should there be an emergency, we've got a hospital close by which is less than 8km away from where we are now. We are building another hospital, but its about 38km away. So, this clinic will be among the figure clinics to those hospitals. But apart from that there are 24-hour clinics around the area.
"It's happening in line with norms and standards as set out. So we will be unveiling close to eight clinics just before the end of this year across the province. Obviously, they may not be sufficient," said the premier.
Mtsweni-Tsipane said they will make provision through mobile clinics that service the community and provide extra ambulances should there be an emergency.
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"Yes, indeed there are plans to construct new clinics as well. We're going to deploy personnel that will guard this facility 24 hours. There's a challenge here in Bushbuckridge with regards to water provision. However, you will recall that part of other majors that we are undertaking as government is to put up a solar system within the institution," she said.
Kgoshi Mokoena said: "We donated this land for free. There's a reason for it. On behalf of my community, I want to appreciate all what our government is doing. I’m so excited because our people used to walk distances looking for health facilities. Now here it is. The only call that I can make to my people is make use of it."
