13 July 2015
A solar-powered health centre (SPHC) was launched at the Maubane Clinic in Ga-Maubane on Friday, the North West provincial health department said.
The health centre is an initiative set up through a partnership with Samsung Electronics South Africa, and is housed in a shipping container fitted with advanced medical equipment and Samsung solar panels.
The aim is to screen up to 300 patients a day and focus on health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, tooth decay and cataracts. There will also be a strong emphasis on educating the community about such conditions.
A medical doctor will visit the unit twice a week.
An improvement
North West health MEC Magome Masike said people in rural areas were more susceptible to health issues because there was limited access to basic health care. It left an impact on overall quality of life.
“Solutions like the SPHC help address this issue,” said Masike. “And we are appreciative of this partnership with Samsung whereby we can use their unique expertise to improve the living standards of our people.”
The head of corporate citizenship at Samsung Electronics Southern Africa, Pitso Kekana, added: “Our goal at Samsung is to positively impact African lives.
“We have seen tremendous success thus far and I have high hopes that the village of Dihibidung will enjoy the benefits of high quality, professional medical care.”
He was pleased to welcome the SPHC into the Ga-Maubane community, said Phopolo Maubane from the Bakgatla Ba Ga Mocha Tribal Council. “It is essential that our people have access to health care and are educated on how best to take care of themselves.”
Source: SAnews.gov
