The Free State Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, tells OFM News that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in the province has implemented the project of building Thandanani and Rheederspark clinics in Welkom to the benefit of the Free State Department of Health. 

Mvambi says the Thandanani clinic is estimated to cost R41 117 467 and it is expected to be completed by July 2023. The Rheederspark clinic is estimated to cost R38 156 616 and is expected to be completed around the same period as the Thandanani clinic. 

Mvambi adds that healthcare services, which include dental care, maternity care, as well as primary healthcare services, will be provided at these new clinics.

ALSO READ: Free State healthcare facilities not meeting compliance standard

The state of health facilities in the Free State has been under scrutiny for some time. This as the MEC for Health, Montseng Tsiu, during her 2022/23 budget speech, raised concerns over primary healthcare facilities that do not meet the threshold standards of the “Ideal clinics”.  Despite challenges faced by the Free State Department of Health, Tsiu reassured that her department is committed to ensuring that facilities regain their ideal status.

Meanwhile, the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has committed to assisting the provincial Health Department in expanding access to healthcare services by improving health facility planning and accelerating infrastructure delivery. The department says such projects are also improving the livelihoods of the locals as they create employment.

OFM News