The need for a Community Health Centre was inspired by Donald Makhubele, a team member at Richard Branson’s private game reserve, Ulusaba, who died of AIDS induced tuberculous in 2007.  He courageously wrote “AIDS is not a disease but is a war that is in Africa, aiming to destroy our continent.  I plead that everyone hears this message and come out with something to help the nation.”

Thanks to a wonderful partnership between Anglo American Coal, Ndlovu Care Group, Virgin Unite USAID/PEPFAR, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, and the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, the Bhubezi Community Health Centre was the first in southern Bushbuckridge to offer a free antiretroviral treatment programme. This addressed the crippling impact of AIDS, giving people living with HIV the chance to thrive, and thereby delivering to Donald’s legacy.

Today Bhubezi held an event paying tribute to the founders and thanking the Mpumalanga Department of Health for its contributions and the continued public/private partnership.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, said “The Bhubezi Community Health Centre was set up to help those suffering with malaria, TB and HIV /AIDS. The difference the clinic has made to the lives of those it helps is truly incredible. We are grateful to the local community and to everyone who has helped Bhubezi thrive.”

Since Bhubezi CHC’s inception, Right to Care, a non-profit organisation that delivers prevention, care, and treatment services for HIV and TB, has been involved, supporting the Ndlovu Care Group manage and run the clinic with operational funding initially provided by USAID/PEPFAR and the Dutch Government.

The U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Patrick Gaspard, said, “The U.S. government, through PEPFAR, is proud to have been in at the ground level of such an important partnership.  Bhubezi demonstrates the powerful impact of governments, the private sector, and NGOs forming partnerships and creating innovative solutions to the problems communities face.”

Themba Mkhwanazi, CEO of Anglo American’s Coal business in South Africa praised the community health centre’s efforts noting, “Bhubezi is a true functional partnership of business, government and the community so that ordinary people are able to access high quality healthcare in a rural area. It’s an example of the mining industry supporting the community beyond its mines.”

Last year the Mpumalanga Department of Health took over operational costs for Bhubezi CHC through a partnership agreement with Right to Care.  Through this agreement, support is provided for 44 staff members, including three doctors, and operational costs for primary health care services for almost 70 000 people a year.

Noting the Department of Health’s efforts, Kurt Firnhaber, chief operating officer of Right to Care, stated, “The Mpumalanga Department of Health has led the way in demonstrating a cost effective approach to delivering the highest quality healthcare in preparation for National Health Insurance.”

The clinic has almost 4 000 patients on HIV treatment and offers comprehensive primary healthcare, integrated TB/HIV and AIDS management, wellness services, electronic health records, pharmacy management and dispensing, cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services, ultra sound and X‑rays.

Bhubezi also offers technical support, a capacity building and health system strengthening programme to ensure improved health outcomes, to 24 nearby clinics and community health centres.  This programme is expected to increase in the coming year.

Community Health Centres and clinics working with and supported by Bhubezi Community Health Centre are:

Agincourt CHC

Xanthia Clinic

Marite Clinic

Jim Brown Clinic

Mkhuhlu Clinic

Calcutta Clinic

Arthurseat Clinic

Casteel Clinic

Justicia Clinic

Belfast Clinic

Thulamahashe CHC

Rolle Clinic

Dingleydale Clinic

Ludlow Clinic

Isilington Clinic

Buffelshoek Clinic

Lillydale Clinic

Kildare Clinic

Madras Clinic

Maviljan Clinic

Cork Clinic

Shartale Clinic

Zoeknog Clinic

Murhotso Clinic 

For further information, photographs or interviews please contact Michelle K Blumenau, Turquoise PR & Marketing Communications

T 011 728 5004 / 083 273 9891 / [email protected]