The friendly faces at the Klapmuts Medical Centre have
dedicated themselves to bridge the gap for locals seeking medical attention
among stretched state clinics or far away facilities since July 2022.
In Klapmuts it’s commonplace for some patients choosing to
suffer silently at home.
“We have had patients tell us so many times that they
preferred to stay ill at home, rather than seek basic care which does not serve
them all too well,” says Dr John Frith, a general practitioner who co-founded
the practice with Dr André Van der Westhuizen.
He highlighted that he held nothing against state clinics
and respected the challenges they suffer with limited resources.
“The demand is so high and patients were generally forced to
pay three taxi fares just to reach hospitals in Paarl or Wellington,” Frith
says.
“Luckily, now we offer the community a clean, safe and
affordable medical centre in the heart of Klapmuts.”
The Klapmuts Medical Centre offers competitive rates for
low-income households of R450 per consultation that also includes prescribed
medications.
They also have special days focussed on skin grafting, which
is not typically offered by state medical clinics.
“Our patients regard us a family practice,” he continues in
pointing out that Van der Westhuizen is also married to his twin sister.
Both got their medical degrees from Stellenbosch University.
Originally from Cape Town, Frith has practised medicine
since 2011, where he most recently worked at a GP practice in Cape Town, and
previously managed an Emergency Room in Durban from 2014 to 2015.
Van der Westhuizen previously practised at a private
hospital. Both interned together at hospitals in East London while completing
their medical studies.
“We also work as the official doctors for the Bishop Lavis
Police Academy [in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town] as a sideline. We do the academy’s
medical checks and official medical reports for trainees and tend to any
on-site injuries.”
Regarding the motivation for opening the medical centre, he
said: “We simply saw a gap in the existing availability of medical services in
Klapmuts and its surrounding areas.”
What’s more, the centre also seeks to grow its outreach to
the wider Klapmuts community.
The first of this is a vegetable garden, which is being
established adjacent to the medical centre, for growing nutritious vegetables
for needy patients.
“This building was previously part of the old honey factory
in town,” Frith said.
“After we managed to get our practice registered and
completed a six-month course to get our medical dispensing licence, it was just
a matter of leasing the property and setting up shop.
“With the available land we have we have partnered with
experienced local green thumbs known as EPJ Kleinboerdery.”
This gardening organisation was established by Piet Prins,
Jeremy van Kerwel, Jakobus Dirkse and Eron Jantjies in October last year.
Prins, its chairperson, said so far it has created an
already thriving veggie garden at Klapmuts Primary School.
“This is also thanks to so many farmers’ and businesses’
support. And now the Klapmuts Medical Centre has given us land to expand our
veggie growing power even more.
“We are extremely grateful to the centre for helping us also
to support them in providing healthy foods to those in need. We plan to grow
cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, corn and many more.”
These modest men have already planted vegetables in one
corner of the centre’s property, although it was still in the developing
stages.
“We are now busy working the soil to prepare the land for
more veggie crops,” Prins said. “This would require some more ploughing with
diggers, tractors and materials, which we also humbly request from willing
farmers and local businesses.”
With these Frith wishes to promote a healthy way of living for
Klapmuts.
“This community mostly suffers from chronic lifestyle
illnesses such as cholesterol and high blood pressure,” he said. “These
illnesses are directly related to diet, which is why we wish to highlight this
initiative.
“It’s also why we’re so excited about getting the vegetable
garden rolled out and, even more exciting, creating learning opportunities for
people to start growing their own fresh produce.”
Frith also believes today’s youth are too disconnected from
their food sources.
“We plan to host regular workshops to promote healthy
living, eating and growing healthy and affordable foods.”
Not only are these doctors focused on physical well-being,
but they also have a passion for tending to psychological and mental
conditions.
“We get a lot of patients that stem from violence or
neglect, such as stabbings, farm-related accidents, drug abuse and alcoholism,”
said Frith. “That is why I also want to pour my passion into patients with
underlying anxiety, trauma and psychological distress.”
For more information on the Klapmuts Medical Centre, feel
free to contact the practice on 079 727 3042, or visit it at 82 Old Paarl Road,
Klapmuts.
