Umlazi Welcomes First Mpathy Clinic: A Beacon of Affordable Healthcare

In a significant stride towards enhancing community healthcare, Umlazi township proudly inaugurated KwaZulu-Natal’s first Mpathy Clinic. Spearheaded by Gugu Khumalo, a resilient community leader who faced personal and professional setbacks during the 2021 riots, this clinic promises to bridge the healthcare gap for low-income households.

Khumalo’s journey to this milestone wasn’t smooth. After her early childhood centre was razed during the July 2021 unrest, she faced a crossroads. “I lost everything during the looting in 2021,” she reflected. “The odds were against us, and I had to ask myself if I should just give up or keep trying. But I knew I could not give up. I went back to the drawing board and started to seek help.”

Her determination bore fruit with the establishment of the Mpathy Clinic, backed by global pharmaceutical giant Viatris and the Contribute Foundation. Offering consultation fees between R100 and R300, the clinic stands as a cost-effective alternative to traditional private healthcare. Its services are comprehensive, ranging from emergency care, chronic disease management, child health and immunisations, reproductive health, to HIV counselling and testing.

“A lot of people in Umlazi are defaulting on taking their medication because the nearest public clinic is too far,” Khumalo highlighted. “We knew we needed to do something. When the clinic opens its doors, I know that patients will be lining up to seek medical care.”

Beyond its array of services, the clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a 3D ultrasound machine and telemedicine capabilities. This ensures that patients receive top-notch medical consultations five days a week, a stark improvement from the limited availability in public facilities.

The success in Umlazi is just the beginning. Plans are underway to launch clinics in Pretoria North, Gauteng, and Marikana in the North West. Rhiza Holdings, the driving force behind Mpathy Clinics, envisions a network of at least 70 clinics nationwide within the next five years.

Lerato Seheri, Healthcare Manager at Rhiza Holdings, emphasized the clinic’s launch during Women’s Month, stating, “Women empowerment is crucial for advancing healthcare in our communities.” She elaborated on the clinic’s model, explaining, “We secure funding to establish a fully equipped clinic, covering all medical equipment and supplies. The clinic is expected to break even within 18 months. After breaking even, the nurse repays the loan interest-free over the next five to seven years. Once the repayment is complete, the nurse, in this case, Gugu Khumalo, owns the clinic.”

With seven out of ten South Africans relying predominantly on public healthcare, as per Statistics South Africa’s recent General Household Survey Report, initiatives like the Mpathy Clinic are not just timely but essential.