The renovations at the clinic was prioritised after Botha visited the clinic in May 2012 and asked the department to attend to the needs as a matter of urgency.
In his address to about 100 guests Botha thanked the community for their patience during the revamp which cost R650 000.
The renovations included an enlarged reception area, an additional consulting room, a separate pharmacy and a new fence. New floor coverings, extractor fans and air conditioners were also fitted.
The clinic attends to the primary health care needs of about 1 600 patients per month. The burden of disease is mostly hypertension, asthma, HIV and TB. Doctors from George Hospital visit Uniondale patients on an appointment basis. The village also has a small 13-bed hospital with a maternity unit.
Two mobile clinics support the health services in the region. The mobiles bring health services to 1300 people living on farms, and deliver chronic medication to 360 patients per month.
Minister Botha emphasised Western Cape Government's focus on the construction of new infrastructure to redress the imbalances of the past: "Since 2009 twelve capital projects were completed in the Eden District, at a total expenditure exceeding R218-million. The three new facilities are the R40-million Kwanokuthula Community Health Centre and ambulance station, the R35-million Witlokasie Community Day Centre in Knysna and the R15-million forensic pathology laboratory in George."
Other upgrades and renovations that were done at health facilities in the Southern Cape were:
- The temporary Mossel Bay Forensic Pathology Lab: R807 000
- The temporary Knysna Forensic Pathology Lab: R420 000
- Harry Comay TB Hospital R1,5-million
- Riversdal Hospital R12-million
- Melkhoutfontein Clinic R3,5-million
- George Hospital R85-million"
Minister Theuns Botha cuts the ribbon in the official unveiling of the renovated Uniondale Clinic. With him are members of the Eden Council, community members and officials of the Department of Health. (Photo supplied.)
