Johannesburg - A state-of-the-art clinic, opened in Protea Glen, Soweto, on Friday, will go a long way in providing comprehensive reproductive and antenatal services to patients.
It will also offer services to Tuberculosis (TB) patients.
The Protea Glen Clinic, will operate between 7.30am and 4pm, everyday.
The City of Johannesburg's Member of the Mayoral Committee, Councilor Matshidiso Mfikoe, who opened the clinic, said that it was now up to the community to take advantage of the clinic and look after their health.
She said the clinic was built to increase access to health services in the area.
"I am proud to say that we have made great strides in bringing health services closer to our people so that they do not have to travel many kilometres to the nearest clinic," said Ms Mfikoe.
"This will strengthen the delivery of primary health care services closer to the people's homes and ensure that minor ailments are taken care without walking long distances," she said.
She said local government would continue to address health inequalities by ensuring that facilities are properly staffed and have the necessary resources to function effectively.
The decision to establish a clinic was taken in 2007. Previously the community was only being serviced by a mobile clinic which operated only on certain days.
Construction of the clinic was started in September 2008 and it was completed in May 2009.
Other services which will be provided by the new health facility includes child immunization, comprehensive Primary Health Care services and voluntary testing for HIV.
The opening of the clinic forms part of the city's ongoing programme to ensure access to primary health care services across the City of Johannesburg, said Ms Mfikoe, who added that this would be complemented by the refurbishment of clinics such as OR Tambo Clinic, Nokuphila Clinic, Jeppe Clinic, Riverlea Clinic and Yeoville Clinic.
