Mbonambi clinics receive generators
This was one of two generators donated by Richards Bay Minerals to clinics in the rural community
The interruption of critical healthcare services owing to power failures will be a thing of the past for the Mbonambi Family Clinic following the donation of a much needed back-up generator.
The generator was officially handed over to the 24-hour facility which serves the rural community near Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) last Friday.
The clinic, which often deals with maternity cases, had on a number of occasions been forced to refer patients to nearby facilities as a result of load-shedding.
This was one of two generators donated by Richards Bay Minerals to clinics in the rural community – the other going to Nhlabane Clinic.
The donations were welcomed by the Department of Health’s provincial Primary Healthcare Manager, Gcina Radebe, who shared her previous experience of working in a clinic that had no electricity.
‘We used candles and a gas lamp for lighting in the evenings when we had to tend to patients.
‘I remember an incident where I was about to deliver a baby and the lamp burst. I had to use a candle and during the procedure the candle burnt out.
‘I had to complete the delivery in the dark and then transferred the mother and child to a hospital for a check-up.
‘So these donations by RBM are not a minor thing,’ Radebe said.
She added that the Department of Health, through National Health Insurance (NHI), aims to transform public clinics by ensuring they are fully equipped.
‘Back-up sources for electricity and water are crucial for our medical facilities.
‘RBM has helped us cross the electricity hurdle and I hope this clinic will be among those prioritised for back-up water supply,’ she said.
RBM Community and Corporate Relations General Manager, B Nowele, said the donations are part of the mining company’s efforts to address the needs of the community.
‘Healthcare is a vital need and ongoing electricity cuts pose a huge risk to the lives of people.
‘We therefore trust the donation of these generators to the two clinics will make a huge difference,’ Nowele said.
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