Clinics get big boost

THE Eastern Cape Health Department has set aside more than R1.1-billion to build close to 20 facilities.

This comes shortly after the National Department of Health released a report which revealed close to half of the province's facilities failed to meet the acceptable standards in an audit conducted by the health department.

Most of the new facilities will be provided in the former Transkei.

The audit conducted in 2011 shows that only one hospital out of 394 passed all acceptable standards.

Department head Dr Thobile Mbengashe said yesterday: "Seventeen new clinics and a new community health centre will be rebuilt afresh either as a replacement of dilapidated clinic facilities or for the provision of new facilities in areas that were underserved."

Mbengashe said more than R204-million had been allocated for the clinics and R64-million for community health centres. – Mphumzi Zuzile