Bhubezi Community Healthcare Centre

October 27 will see the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Bhubezi Community Healthcare Centre in Lillydale, the second of its kind in South Africa, funded by Virgin Unite, USAID, PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—a US organization) and Anglo Coal. The Bhubezi CHC is a general healthcare facility that will specialize in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. The original clinic, Ndlovu, is located in Elandsdoorn, of the Limpopo province. Opened 15 years ago by Dr. Hugo Tempelman and his wife, Liesje, the Ndlovu Clinic has made an indelible impact in the battle of South Africa’s biggest killers.

The opening of such a clinic in a rural environment will radically alter the impact of disease in this area; reaching out to over 70,000 people. Currently, people have to travel over two hours to the nearest medical center—consider how difficult it would be to get there when most people don’t even own a vehicle, let alone have payment for treatment. Because of the complications in traveling so far for medical attention, they often seek help too late in the progression of their disease.

Phase 1 of the project is the 12-hour Bhubezi CHC, which will be open to see patients at the end of the year. The clinic will treat up to 150 patients a day. No one will be denied treatment based on lack of funds. In fact, USAID and PEPFAR cover the costs of medication and treatment when patient’s CD4 count falls below 200 (at which point they have AIDS). The clinic will also have four beds, where bed-ridden patients can stay until they’ve recovered well enough to return to home.

Phase 2 of the project is a maternity ward, where expectant mothers who are HIV positive can be treated and educated to prevent the transmission of the disease to their child. If a woman seeks treatment before her twentieth week of pregnancy, chances are nearly 100% that her child will be born HIV negative. Consider this: The maternity ward at the Elandsdoorn Ndlovu Clinic has been hugely successful in preventing the transmission of HIV to newborns. Out of 188 births, only one child was born HIV positive. The maternity ward at Bhubezi CHC will break ground next week and should start seeing patients by February.

Another monumental feature of the Bhubezi CHC is the on-site laboratory. Set within a retro-fitted freight container, the lab can conduct all blood tests on-site, allowing patients to receive their results within 24-48 hours. The lab is also equipped with x-ray machines for TB screening.

I am ecstatic that I will be witness to the opening of such a remarkable facility. Great strides are being made, who knows—I could be part of it.

To read further about Ndlovu Clinic, visit: www.ndlovu.com