Tshwane metro searching for building to assist homeless and immigrants
The Tshwane metro will soon launch a facility that will provide psychosocial services to the homeless that will help them cope with issues such as xenophobic violence and mental health problems.
The Tshwane metro will soon launch a facility that will provide psychosocial services to the homeless that will help them cope with issues such as xenophobic violence and mental health problems.
The facility will service the Pretoria CBD, Pretoria West, Brooklyn and Hatfield, according to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
Launched last week, this so-called “inclusive and sustainable healthcare service initiative” is the result of a partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
“We are close to identifying a government-owned building in region 3 that will be converted into a hub where Médecins Sans Frontières-related services will be offered to the public,” said Mashigo.
“The launch marked the culmination of intense discussions between the metro and Médecins Sans Frontières that led to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions in January.
“The main objective of the collaboration is to strengthen healthcare services, including mental health, for vulnerable communities within Tshwane.
“The initiative would see services such as coherent and timely emergency prevention and response mechanism set in place for xenophobic violence and other medical-related emergencies. It will also tackle mental health, provide quality and free primary healthcare and offer psychosocial services to homeless people residing in shelters and on the streets.”
He said the efforts would assist many other beneficiaries.
“We are excited about this partnership which we believe is going to improve the lives of our residents, especially in the areas of mental health, psychological services and also address basic challenges faced by migrants.”
Mashigo said the metro was looking to make this a long-term partnership to ensure that they delivered services to the people of Tshwane.
Acting city manager Mmaseabata Mutlaneng said the public would be notified once a building has been chosen.
Highlights: Word by Acting City Manager: Mmaseabata Mutlaneng. #HealthCareService pic.twitter.com/aES2Bnml8B
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) August 12, 2021
Mental health, quality & free primary health care, psychosocial services to migrants & vulnerable homeless people residing in shelters/streets, outreach programmes, COVID-19 medical & professional services to target population, migrants & vulnerable people. pic.twitter.com/vfUQtny6QB
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) August 12, 2021
“As a non-profit humanitarian organisation, we are pleased that the metro has agreed to join hands with us to create an environment for free medical care to the migrants and vulnerable people of Tshwane who need it,” said Musawenkosi Ndlovu, head of the Médecins Sans Frontières Tshwane Project.
“To us, it doesn’t matter which country these people are from, which religion they belong to or what their political affiliations are,” said Ndlovu.
“All that matters is that they are human beings in need of these services.”
Ndlovu said as part of the memorandum of understanding, the Tshwane metro would provide drugs (medication) for the agreed activities.
Médecins Sans Frontières may import or procure medicine or equipment at its discretion and within the scope of its limitations for specific activities.
He said Médecins Sans Frontières would ensure that the drugs were of optimal quality and aligned with the standards of South African Pharmaceutical Council requirements.
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