Community Services chips away at infrastructure upgrades
08 February 2023
A number of upgrade and renovation projects are in various stages of planning or completion within the Community Services and Health Directorate, from clinics to libraries and cultural facilities.
The Community Services and Health Directorate has a capital expenditure budget of just over R105 million in the current financial year, for City Health, Libraries and Information Services, Social Development and Early Childhood Development and Planning, Development and Project Management.
'The Community Services and Health Directorate has hundreds of facilities across the metropole that deliver essential services to communities, and efforts to maintain, upgrade and expand these facilities to meet the growing need, are ongoing. Our goal is to ensure that the facilities meet, but also exceed basic norms and standards, and are places that our communities can be proud of. Something like the upgrade of a TB area or pharmacy at a clinic might seem inconsequential, but for the clients and staff at that particular facility, it makes the world of difference, in terms of how many patients can be accommodated, time spent at the clinic and the overall health and well-being of all involved,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
Thus far, various projects have been completed at a number of clinics, including:
- Upgrade of TB area at Sarepta Clinic
- Bloekombos Clinic pharmacy extension
- Extension of Records Room at Scottsdene Clinic
- Generator installation at Luvuyo Clinic
- Parking area at Masiphumelele Clinic
The extension of the pharmacy at St. Vincent Clinic as well as the ARV/TB extension at the Spencer Road Clinic are in the planning stages.
The Directorate has also embarked on an IT Modernisation Project, which seeks to implement digital solutions and customer-centric technologies for more efficient service delivery.
In terms of this project, City Health has also implemented its electronic appointment system at all clinics. Currently, the next phase of the development of this system is underway, which is a self-service functionality.
Work also continues on the development of the electronic Patient Records Management System, as well as the Pharmacy Management System.
In the Libraries space, upgrades to fire safety infrastructure have been completed at the Bellville, Moses Mabhida and Rondebosch libraries, while new smoke detection systems are on the cards for Lentegeur and Kommetjie libraries. Meanwhile, building plans have been approved for the upgrade of the Lwandle Community Library.
The Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has completed upgrades to the Culemborg Safe Space 2, centred around fire compliance.
The expansion of the Culemborg Safe Space 1 is in the concept design stage, and so too the planned safe spaces in Ebenezer Road and the Durbanville Public Transport Interchange.
The Department has also completed upgrades to the Langa Arts and Culture facility, while the scope of additional works at the Guga S'thebe Cultural Centre has been agreed to, and the appointment of contractors is underway. The work at the facility will include paving, fencing and minor electrical works.
'I am incredibly excited about what has already been achieved, but also what is in the pipeline in the short to medium term. The one thing that dims my enthusiasm, is the ongoing vandalism of our facilities. We are spending so much money on repairs and replacement of infrastructure, and security hardening measures – money that we should be directing at additional upgrades and renovations. I want to remind our residents that the care of, and responsibility for community facilities, is a shared responsibility,' added Councillor Van der Ross.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
