By Mashamba Media
news@alexreporter.co.za
The MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has officially opened the first radiology diagnostic center in Alexandra township.
During the welcoming of Open Diagnostic’s investment in the new diagnostics centre, Ralehoko said “today, we are not just opening a facility; we are unlocking a future of unparalleled healthcare access in Alexandra”.
She said Open Diagnostic’s investment was a resounding endorsement of “our shared vision under the 6th administration’s elevated priorities”.
“It’s more than infrastructure; it’s a promise…a promise to our community that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right.
“This centre is not just a building with state-of-the-art equipment; it is a cornerstone of hope and a testament to what we can achieve when we unite for the greater good.
“Here, in the heart of our township, we are setting a new standard for healthcare, one that speaks to the needs of every resident and paves the way for a healthier, more empowered Alexandra.”
Pristem Global Diagnostics South Africa is a subsidiary of Pristem Global Diagnostics based in Switzerland. Trading as Open Diagnostics, the company plans to open a series of diagnostic centres situated in underserved communities throughout South Africa before expanding beyond South Africa’s borders.
Lars Beykirch, Pristem Global Diagnostic’s CEO, said that according to a study published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), about two thirds of the global population, or roughly five billion people, have no or only very limited access to reliable, medical imaging services.
“The Cristalix-T1 technology you see here today is the culmination of a vision shared by two engineers, one South African, Solomzi Makholiso, the other Swiss, Klaus Schönenberger.
“Their vision was to solve the challenge identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) by designing and building technology specifically designed to operate reliably and at low cost in challenging environments such as South Africa’s where power outages and adverse climatic conditions are the norm.”
He added that the Open Diagnostics centre in Alexandra represents the first step in solving this issue on a global level.
“Beginning here in Alexandra, we will demonstrate that we are able to deliver high quality and affordable medical imaging services to Alexandra’s population,” he said.
Open Diagnostic’s centres are equipped with the Cristalix-T1 radiology solution. It was designed and built by Pristem Global Diagnostics in Switzerland.
Pristem Diagnostics SA’s CEO, Yvonne Motsisi, said Open Diagnostic’s second diagnostic centre is scheduled to come on stream at Maponya Mall in Soweto during the first quarter of 2024 and that Pristem SA intends to deploy between 3 and 5 diagnostic centres per month after that.
“The successful roll out of these centres throughout South Africa over the next five years will expand South Africa’s diagnostic capacity by more than four million xray images.
“This will complement primary healthcare services offered by General Practioners and Primary Healthcare Clinics in underserved communities,” she explained.
The patient experience is an equally important component of the Open Diagnostic’s service delivery model. The centres are specifically situated close to the communities they serve and employees are trained to create a welcoming and dignified environment where patients are treated with empathy and concern.
Father of Alex presents certificate of recognition to CEO of Pristem South Africa
“All Open Diagnostics Centres are staffed with well-trained employees drawn from the local community who have been upskilled to engage respectfully and empathetically with all patients.
“Our aim is to create a dignified space where all people are given access to quality Xray diagnoses underpinned by Swiss standards of engineering quality.
“Time is also of the essence and typically the treating doctor will receive the Xray and diagnostic report before the patient returns to the doctor’s rooms,” she concluded.
