Eastern Cape Provincial Government is making strides in bringing quality health care to everyone. These efforts are evident in the rural farming community of Balfour near kwa-Maqoma (formerly Fort Beaufort), where the construction of a R52 million state of the art Balfour Ideal Clinic is currently underway, promising to revolutionize healthcare access in the area.

This clinic, which replaces an old, dilapidated structure, will bring significant relief as well as improve the quality of life of this community. Its construction, which commenced in 2023, is expected to be completed later this year. The project has created employment opportunities for more than 30 people, including local women and youth.

According to Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, the Provincial government is investing a further R3 billion over the next five years for the construction of new clinics and rehabilitation of existing health facilities across the province.

Some of this work includes Greenville Hospital in Mbizana which will be upgraded to an investment value of R441 million in two phases. Furthermore, in Mthatha, a R416 million construction project of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital Oncology Unit is underway. This is a critical project for the treatment of cancer patients.

All these initiatives are in line with the government s commitment to ensure that everyone in the province, even in remote areas, has access to primary healthcare service.