Doors of Aan Het Pad Clinic now permanently closed

Locals who once frequented the Aan Het Pad Clinic in Long Street for their healthcare needs will permanently have to visit the Cloetesville Community Day Centre (CDC).

This as the provincial Department of Health and Wellness announced the permanent closure of the facility, following its initial temporary closure amid ongoing shootings in the Cloetesville area in December 2025.

In a statement the department said the decision to close the facility was made “due to ongoing concerns for staff and patient safety”. It, however, assured patients they will still have access to the “full package of care” at the Cloetesville CDC.

“We cannot expect patients to take responsibility for their health by regularly visiting their clinic for support, if it means they have to come here in these dangerous and threatening conditions,” said Handri Liebenberg, director of the Cape Winelands district. “Despite our best efforts to strengthen security at the clinic and working closely with role-players like [the police] and municipal law enforcement, we are prioritising the safety and well-being of everyone who usually attended the clinic.”

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The Aan Het Pad Clinic mainly offered preventative and chronic care to patients; this service has now moved to Cloetesville CDC, while the dispensing of chronic medication previously offered at Eikestad Hall has also been moved.

Patients who collected their chronic medication from Eikestad Hall are advised to report to the Pharmacy Entrance at the CDC from 08:00 to 09:00 from Monday to Thursday to collect their medication. The Health Hub, an outreach service will continue at the Eikestad Hall. Mothers and their babies can continue visiting the hub from 08:00 to noon on Tuesdays.

The Koelenhof Mobile Clinic will continue its outreach work to farms and, if needed, these patients will be referred to Ida’s Valley Clinic. Chronic patients will also attend doctor’s appointments at Ida’s Valley Clinic or Cloetesville CDC.

Healthcare staff previously based at Aan Het Pad Clinic are now part of the teams at Cloetesville CDC and Ida’s Valley Clinic, while security measures at the CDC will also be strengthened.

Furthermore, modifications will be made to the CDC to improve patients’ waiting experience and additional consultation rooms and other facilities will be added to the facility in due course.

Sister Luceille Esau, CDC operational manager, said staff there were happy to have their Aan Het Pad colleagues at the CDC, united in the resolve to give patients the best possible care.

“We kindly ask that our patients to work with us during this transitional period. Please attend your scheduled appointments; this is one of the ways we can function as efficiently as possible.”

A community meeting about the service changes will be held soon.

“I would like to reassure you that we are committed to serving the Stellenbosch community with quality healthcare services,” Liebenberg added.

“We are deeply grateful to our staff for their agility and thank the community for their understanding and support as we take on this service change.”