WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness officially launched 63 new and replacement mobile clinics to serve rural and remote communities across the province.
Speaking at the launch, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, said the clinics are bringing services directly to the people in the Garden Route, West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, and Central Karoo.
It is an investment of R119 million. The initiative will replace 57 outdated mobile clinics and add six additional units to strengthen the School Health Programme.
The mobile clinics operate across the Western Cape’s five rural districts, delivering essential healthcare services to deep rural areas including farms, and communities not easily reached by fixed facilities.
They will provide preventative care services, vaccinations, and the delivery of chronic medication among others.
"The new mobile clinics also include six units dedicated to school health services, allowing the department to expand its reach and improve health outcomes for learners.
"To ensure these vehicles are fully utilised, six professional nurses have been appointed and will provide an integrated school health service which includes health screening, dental care, vaccinations, and other healthcare assessments and referrals where necessary," said Wenger.
Custom designed
The mobile clinics were developed in partnership with the Mobility Department and have been custom designed with the direct input of frontline nurses.
"Their feedback has helped create a more comfortable and functional experience for both staff and patients," said Wenger.
Improvements include higher ceilings for better ventilation and comfort for taller patients, mounted electronic equipment such as blood pressure monitors, and articulated exam lights, enhancing both efficiency and patient care. Each mobile clinic is also equipped with a solar inverter, ensuring healthcare services are rendered optimally in any location.
Dr Keith Cloete, head of the Department of Health and Wellness, said it is a proud day for them.
"Not only are these vehicles meticulously designed and constructed by the user, our mobile health nursing staff who will be spending every day in these vehicles, they also signify how we respond to the healthcare needs of our communities in the most remote locations. We are extremely thankful to our colleagues from Mobility for the way they showed up and worked with us until we have a purpose-built product everyone is proud of.”
Izak Wessels from the Rural Health Services team showing Minister Wenger the purpose-built design of the mobile clinic.
Remote access
Dr Lizette Phillips, chief director of Rural Health Services for the Department of Health and Wellness, said that the launch is the culmination of over three years’ investment in planning and listening to health staff and communities.
“We went to great lengths to ensure that every resident, no matter how remote, receives the dignity of accessible, quality healthcare.
"Listening to our mobile health staff and incorporating their expertise and practical experience into the design of these custom vehicles also ensures that we can provide our dedicated staff with a dignified service delivery experience.”
Six of the new mobile health clinics.
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