A modern health centre was officially opened by the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Glory Mashaba at Vleifontein last Saturday.

The name of the new health facility, built by Dr AM Ramavhanda, is Tshedza, and it is at the township of Vleifontein. The energy-efficient design is worth more than a million rands, according to Ramavhanda. He said that the health centre will bring better care, as well as bringing quality health services closer to the people of the township and the surrounding villages.

"Tshedza means light, so it is an undisputed fact that where there is light there is life. Because light was the first thing to created by God, I decided to build the new health facility with the view of removing the darkness amongst our people by bringing health services that were previously not available to their doorsteps," he said. At the new facility, there is a small intensive care unit with three beds, and a waiting room. While there would be a general patients´ consultation room, female patients would have their own consultation as another way of maintaining their privacy.

As from last Sunday, the new health facility is offering the services of a clinical pyschologist, physiotherapist, optometrist and a dentist. The services are always readily available at the centre. Other health specialists, according to Dr Ramavhanda will be available at the centre at specific times.

While his health centre will be accommodating various health practitioners together, Ramavhanda said that the strength of the centre would be the support of the people. "I´ve done my job, it is now up to members of the community to make use of the health centre," he said.

When addressing the people, Mayor Mashaba described Dr Ramavhanda as a real peoples’ doctor, due to his participation and involvement in community matters at Vleifontein. "The effort of building the health centre is a testimony to his dedication to the health profession and our community. It is a testimony of love and passion about this area and its people," she said.

It was Mashaba who reminded people about the small building Ramavhanda has been using as a surgery some years ago. "He was using a very small building like a two-roomed house, but today, he has transformed this place into a real health centre with first class medical equipment and facilities," said the mayor.

Mashaba further claimed that the main challenges that are really facing the health profession currently are to find dedicated health practitioners like Dr Ramavhanda. She encouraged parents to encourage their children to pursue careers in the medical profession as there is a shortage of doctors in the country. She also used the opportunity to warn people about diseases such as HIV/Aids, TB and asthma. "Whether we use beetroot, cabbage and carrots or condomise, or whether we take anti-retroviral tablets, is immaterial. All we need to do is to use all the means available to fight this disease like we fought Apartheid," said the mayor.

A community member of Vleifontein, Mr Buda Mavhunga said that Dr Ramavhanda has done what is needed most by the community.