A private healthcare clinic, designed to “help people get fast and affordable healthcare”, launched in Kayamandi on 30 March. This is according to Nobulali Gxagxisa, a nurse and the owner of Unjani Clinic in Kayamandi. The clinic forms part of the Unjani Clinic franchise, said Gxagxisa.
Unjani franchises 140 other clinics nationwide, said Gxagxisa. She chose Unjani because the owner can pay franchise fees for five years and can then acquire sole ownership of the clinic, she said.
Nobulali Gxagxisa, a nurse by training, recently opened a private franchise clinic in Kayamandi. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
The Unjani franchise
“The [Unjani franchise] helps us to [ensure] quality because they make sure we do things according to all the protocols from the South African Department of Health,” said Gxagxisa. The franchise also provided medical equipment to the clinic, said Gxagxisa.
“The Greater Stellenbosch Development Trust (GSDT) secured a rental contract with St John Anglican church, where there was enough space to set up the clinic,” said Christine Fourie, a freelance representative for the GSDT.
The GSDT is an organisation which supports community projects in Stellenbosch, according to their website. GSDT specifically worked with Gxagxisa because it supports new businesses that have a community focus, said Fourie.
Through Unjani Clinic, Nobulali Gxagxisa, nurse and owner of the clinic, hopes to bridge the gap for Kayamandi residents, by providing them access to a local private clinic. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
Filling the gap
There is currently only one government clinic serving the Kayamandi community, according to Gxagxisa. As such, Unjani will increase the provision of healthcare within the community, said Gxagxisa.
“People are complaining about [waiting] long hours when they come to the [government clinic] or collect [their] medication,” claimed Thokozani Lepheana, who is part of the ward 15 committee in Kayamandi.
“It is very encouraging to see more role-players offering healthcare services. The population is growing and will benefit [from the] additional establishments [providing] healthcare,” said Sandra Maritz, a communication manager from the Western Cape Department of Health.
Gxagxisa used to work in midwifery at the Tygerberg hospital for 12 years, she said. She is the only nurse working at Unjani clinic alongside two clinic assistants, said Gxagxisa.
The clinic offers services such as family planning, HIV testing and counselling, as well as pregnancy testing and Vitamin B injections, said Gxagxisa.
As Unjani is a private clinic, people will have to use medical aid or pay for these services, said Gxagxisa.
“I want to help people get fast and affordable healthcare,” said Nobulali Gxagxisa, nurse and owner of the Unjani Clinic in Kayamandi. The Unjani Clinic franchise makes sure that they let Gxagxisa know about new developments in the health industry, said Gxagxisa. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar