New service launched at clinic

Residents listening to speakers during the launch of expanded services at the Dr Ivan Toms Community Day Centre.

The healthcare needs of adults will now be better taken care of at the Dr Ivan Toms Community Day Centre (CDC) in Mfuleni after a new service was launched last Thursday, April 5.

The adult curative service includes treatment of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

The clinic initially only offered basic antenatal care with antiretroviral medication being made available later. During the launch, the City’s Health Department said it has been working to expand services across the metro.

It said the new service had already started a few months ago but was officially launched on Thursday.

Among those present were ward councillor Thembisile Bathembu, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), Mayoral committee member for area east, Anda Ntsodo, Driftsands clinic staff as well as residents.

Dr Virginia de Azevedo, the City Health Manager, said the goal of the clinic is to provide holistic general healthcare.

She said the success of the clinic is dependent on a collaboration between all stakeholders.

“It is good news that people will no longer travel far to other clinics for the services. They will come here, get checked here for their chronic illnesses and we will treat them here. Therefore, all of us in this room need to be committed to making this clinic work,” she said.

She applauded her department for the new service.

“We have made a plan. It is our mission to provide services to people. This should be applauded and be welcomed by us all,” said Dr De Azevedo.

Mr Ntsodo said the City has 101 health facilities and of these 12 are CDCs. “Eight of the CDCs are in area east, which includes Khayelitsha, Lwandle, Mfuleni, and Sir Lowry’s Pass, which are among the poorest communities and which urgently need quality healthcare services. Efforts will continue to be made to expand health services across the City,” said Mr Ntsodo.

He said he was happy that many diseases could be prevented or managed if diagnosed and treated early at the clinic.

He said the City would continue work to improve residents’ living conditions and promoting individual and community health and welfare are critical components of that effort.

Mr Bathembu as well as the members of Sanco urged residents to take care of the clinic.