A fully-functional medical facility has been erected and deployed by the Cipla Foundation at the much-publicised Strandfontein Sports Ground now housing the bulk of Cape Town’s homeless individuals during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“The medical infrastructure has been life-changing for us,” said one of the nurses working on the site.
“From working out of a van with very limited stock, we now have everything we need to deliver the necessary services required on site.”
Made up of various modular units, health services now provided include testing and screening facilities, clinical examinations and consultations, temperature-controlled units for the storage and dispensing of chronic medication,
as well medical storage.
Additional modular units have also been erected to provide a resting area for the healthcare professionals.
“The Cipla Foundation is committed to its ethos of ‘caring for life’ and is therefore providing dignified primary healthcare to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities during this difficult time.,” Cipla SA CEO, Paul Miller, has noted.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Dr Zahid Badroodien said: “Facilitating the temporary housing and medical care of over 2000 people has been no easy feat, especially considering that an unprecedented
number of these individuals has pre-existing conditions and require access to chronic medication.
“We are therefore incredibly grateful to partner with the Cipla Foundation to address this urgent need.”
