MEC for health Phumulo Masualle officially handed over a clinic to the community of Khotyana village in Xhorha on Thursday 5 August 2010.
More than 500 people attended the ceremony that marked the end to their long wait for the delivery of health services to their door step. The ceremony was attended by traditional leaders, religious leaders, health department officials, education department officials, community development workers, non-governmental organisations and community members.
The people of Khotyana village and surrounding areas were compelled to travel more than 15 kilometers to access health services as they used to utilise the nearest hospitals, Zithulele hospital in Mqanduli or Madwaleni Hospital in Xhorha.
Traditional leader of the village; Chief Gwebityala expressed his gratitude to the department for making their dream come true and pleaded with the community to safe guard the clinic with their lives.
MEC Masualle sensitised the community that clinics in rural areas should not be any different from the ones in towns and encouraged them to select a committee that will make sure that they get everything they need in the clinic.
He further urged the Eastern Cape Health officials to ensure that the clinic is fully staffed and most importantly always have enough stock of medicines and drugs and mentioned that two nurses would be reporting for duty at the clinic on 2 September 2010.
Masuallle will officially open two more clinics in Amahlathi and Intsika Yethu Sub-Districts very soon.
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
