City Health invests millions in clinic infrastructure

Security upgrades and scaling up facilities to ensure that they comply with national core standards make up the bulk of the planned capital expenditure for the current financial year, totalling just over R32 million.

The City’s Health Department has budgeted approximately R19 million for security upgrades at clinics.

The upgrades will include measures like burglar bars and doors, alarm systems, metal detectors and more.

‘Our clinics and other community facilities are not immune to attacks, whether it is theft and break-ins and the associated vandalism, staff being hijacked as they arrive or leave their places of work, or as we’ve witnessed in recent months, brazen armed robberies. The City is committed to ensuring the safety of staff and clients, and we are constantly re-evaluating how we can further enhance security at these facilities. However, ensuring that these clinics are safe spaces, is a shared responsibility. It is unacceptable that criminals think they can target the very facilities that their families rely on, and so I call on communities to speak out against these acts, but also identify those responsible when incidents happen, so that they can face the consequences of their actions,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

As part of its drive to increase the number of clinics that meet the national core standards criteria, City Health has set aside R12 million for that purpose this year.

The core standards are governed by a statutory body – the Office of Health Standards Compliance – which has legislative authority to provide facilities with compliance certificates.

Among the considerations for compliance are: facility infrastructure and resources, staffing levels, level of care provided to clients, and patient rights.

UPGRADES

Work is scheduled to get under way on two new multi-year upgrade projects at the Tafelsig and Sir Lowry’s Pass clinics.

Other projects that are carrying on from the previous financial year, include the upgrade of the TB area at Sarepta Clinic.

Projects that were completed in the last 12 months were the:

• Construction of Fisantekraal Clinic

• Pharmacy extension project at Bloekombos Clinic

• Extensions at Scottsdene and Masincedane Clinics

• Parking lot project at Masiphumelele Clinic

• Generators were installed at various clinics

• Upgrades at Uitsig and Phillipi Clinics

Source: City Of Cape Town

Recent Posts