The City of Cape Town’s Health Department is changing the face of a number of clinics around the metropole as part of its capital expenditure plans for the current financial year. The bulk of the investment is earmarked for the completion of the new Pelican Park Clinic and breaking ground on the Fisantekraal Clinic.
One of the key projects is the Pelican Park Clinic (CLICK HERE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS: https://bit.ly/2MVrhoM). Construction on the multi-year project started in July 2017 and is set to be completed by early November 2018. The interior fittings like furniture and IT infrastructure is likely to be completed in the first few months of 2019, after which the doors to the clinic will be opened to residents of the surrounding suburbs.
‘The construction of the Pelican Park Clinic was a direct response to the increased population in the area as a result of the housing developments that have been constructed. We’ve had a few delays as a result of bad weather, but generally, the contractor has progressed well and I’m very excited to see the final product. The overall cost of the project is just over R40 million, and I believe it is money well spent, given the need for access to primary healthcare services in our communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
On the other side of the peninsula, City Health is awaiting final approval of the design of the new Fisantekraal Clinic before advertising the construction tender. A budget of R14 million has been set aside for this project in the current financial year.
The department is also initiating and continuing upgrades and extensions at various clinics to provide services for clients with tuberculosis and those requiring anti-retroviral treatment.
In a first for City Health, at least two clinics will also be upgraded to cater specifically for the provision of services to clients with diabetes. The facilities are the Ocean View Clinic and Vuyani Clinic in Gugulethu.
‘Experience has shown that having space within a clinic that is dedicated to chronic care patients cuts down on waiting times for everyone and allows for more efficient service delivery. In the event of communicable diseases like TB, it also reduces the risk of transmission. These are some of the reasons why City Health is investing in upgrades and extensions at clinics. We are constantly striving to improve the client experience and, while there is still much work to be done, we are seeing results,’ added Alderman Smith.
Facilities that feature on the 2018/19 budget for upgrades or extensions are:
| DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Sarepta Clinic: upgrade of TB area | 1 000 000 |
| New Fisantekraal Clinic | 14 000 000 |
| Northpine Clinic upgrade/extensions | 1 000 000 |
| New Pelican Park Clinic | 19 935 334 |
| Masincedane Clinic: ARV/TB extensions | 1 720 418 |
| Gugulethu Clinic extensions/upgrade | 500 000 |
| New Zakhele Clinic | 1 172 000 |
| Ikhwezi Clinic extensions and civil works | 530 077 |
| Uitsig Clinic: extension for ARV/TB area | 6 275 000 |
| St Vincent Community Day Centre upgrade | 3 400 000 |
| Kilpheuwel mobile clinic fencing | 80 000 |
| Ocean view Clinic upgrade for diabetic services | 300 000 |
| Vuyani Clinic upgrade for diabetic services | 1 500 000 |
| Upgrade of security at clinics | 802 105 |
| TOTAL | R52 214 934 |