Opening of Ndwedwe health centre

Opening of Ndwedwe Community Health Care Centre

COMMUNITY SERVICE:Minister of Health Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang with the MPP for Health Zweli Mkhize at the official opening of a health care centre at Ndwedwe

The days of travelling long distances to get to the nearest hospital to get medical treatment for Ndwedwe residents are over.
This came to an end on Friday when national Minister of Health Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang opened the R6.4-million Ndwedwe Community Health Centre.
The centre started as a mobile clinic in 1957, with a doctor coming once a week to attend to patients. But there was always a need for a bigger health facility.

This became a reality when the European Union stepped in and donated money to build the centre. The centre now boasts a family planning service and maternity and children's wards.
Speaking at the the opening ceremony, Tshabalala-Msimang said the occasion marked a return for her to the community she had been very close to in the past few years.

"Unfortunately at that time most parts of our province, including this area, were scenes of violent clashes where many lives were lost and thousands of people were left devastated.
"It was difficult to imagine during those dark days that a beautiful community health centre like this could arise in this area," she said.

She re-iterated the Government's intention to introduce community service in the rural areas that would give young doctors, pharmacists and dentists an opportunity to gain experience in working with communities that desperately needed their services.
She said the Government was exploring possibilities to offer attractive incentives for people working in rural areas.
Tshabalala-Msimang encouraged the Ndwedwe community and health workers to work together in order for everyone to be safe and protected.
"The community must also treasure this facility and ensure that it is not vandalised." she said.

By Phumla Sekeleni Daily News, Monday, August 20, 2001