New antiretroviral (ARV) clinic at Delft Community Health Centre

The unacceptable situation of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) patients sharing queues with pregnant women and young babies at the Delft Community Health Centre (CHC) have finally come to an end with the official opening of the new ARV clinic at Delft CHC today.

In May this year, Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, turned the first soil at the CHC, and today he officially opened the new clinic.

To date the antiretroviral and antenatal services have been delivered in one room, which was often overcrowded and posed health risks to patients, infants and staff, with pregnant women having to travel to Bishop Lavis Midwife Obstetric Unit for births.

In the last three years the population of Delft has increased drastically and simultaneously it became necessary to provide a full package of maternity services. The building will improve client flow, allow for better health care for HIV/TB patients and help prevent cross contamination of diseases.

Through the mediation of the South Africa Medical and Education Foundation, Adcock-Ingram sponsored the R1.5 million renovation of the building, which was originally an ambulance station.

The ambulances were relocated to the Tygerberg hospital site, and the building converted into a clinic with eleven (11) consultation rooms and a waiting area for 70 patients.

Supporting furniture and equipment was sponsored by Thuo-Slots, Kolok, Coca-Cola Canners, Entyce Beverages, T-Systems, Deli Spices, Authentix and Set Point.

The Delft Community Health Centre serves a rapidly growing indigent population of over 520 000 people. Monthly attendance at the clinic averages 30 000, with a growth of 500 new patients per month.

By the end of August this year, 2 368 adults and 86 children were on antiretroviral treatment at the CHC. In addition to this, 835 adults and six children were on similar treatment at the nearby Delft South clinic.

In his address, Botha said: "The opening of this clinic once again marks a significant milestone in the public private sector partnership in fighting HIV and AIDS."

He thanked the donors for equipment and furniture and the South African Medical and Education Foundation for securing the sponsorship from Adcock-Ingram for the physical renovation of the building.

Media enquiries:
Helene Rossouw
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
Fax: 021 483 4143
E-mail: herossou@pgwc.gov.za

Source: Western Cape Provincial Government