Construction of new Villiersdorp Clinic completed

A new facility, the Villiersdorp Clinic which replaces the Villiersdorp Willa Clinic has been completed by the Department of Transport and Public Works and is ready to receive patients from across the region. Construction of the R30 Million facility began in October 2021 and was completed in December 2022.

During the harvest season, Villiersdorp receives a high influx of job seekers who contribute to the migrant population of the Theewaterskloof municipal area. The Willa Clinic was often overcrowded and could not adequately cater to the community’s patient load. Its waiting area was too small, with fewer consulting rooms than required. Additionally, the dispensary was inadequate, and the patient flow within the old clinic was poor as a result.

This new clinic will provide a comprehensive health service and support to the mobile clinic, with outreach to identified service points within the municipality. Describing the significance of the Clinic, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said: “This project is the embodiment of wanting to enable infrastructure-led investment for the Western Cape that will benefit the communities we serve.”

“Through the project, we created 46 job opportunities for local job seekers from within Villiersdorp. A significant percentage of the budget is spent on sub-contractors from designated groupings. So truly as the Western Cape Government we are empowering and urgently creating sustainable economic opportunities for the citizens” added the Minister.

Through the project, there was provision made for formal training by a CETA accredited training service provider on the project. Allowance was made in the contract document for life skills training as well as technical skills training to suitable candidates.

The beautiful facebrick and steel cladded 1316m² building conforms to the energy efficiency requirements of SANS 10400 and is in line the with Western Cape Government’s ecological infrastructure priorities. The robust finishes and detailing support the long-term sustainability of the function. The new clinic’s simple linear design divides into two main wings on either side of the main waiting area, with clear visual lines to all public areas of the site.

Additional features include:

• Mobile vehicle garages and administration for rural areas, ensuring that the facility increases its footprint throughout the surrounding rural areas.
• A detailed colour scheme to differentiate the services offered, making them easily identifiable for a wide range of visitors.
• CCTV security.

With the project completed, the clinic has been handed over to the Western Cape Department of Health.

Minister for Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo adds, “As the Department of Health and Wellness, we are most pleased with the efficiency and urgency with which the construction was completed. The Department of Transport and Public Works has been an important stakeholder in the delivery of infrastructure, and we thank them for the completion of this facility. Villiersdorp Clinic will now add to our efforts to expand our primary healthcare capacity by being a critical point of entry for residents seeking health services in the area. We look forward to this facility delivering quality services to the community going forward.”