By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Open Diagnostics has opened the doors to the public of its first state of the art Diagnostics Centre in the township of Alexandra recently.
And to mark the occasion, the Father of Alex, Linda Twala presented a certificate of Recognition to Yvonne Motsisi, CEO of Pristem South Africa.
During his presentation, Twala said that the certificate was being awarded to Open Diagnostics in recognition of their service to the community of Alexandra.
“Alex is often seen as the forgotten township in terms of development even though many of South Africa’s leaders were born and raised here,” he said.
He welcomed Open Diagnostic’s investment in the new diagnostics centre, which, he said will make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the community of Alex.
Pristem Global Diagnostics South Africa is a subsidiary of Pristem Global Diagnostics based in Switzerland.
Trading as Open Diagnostics, the company’s mission is to provide open access to primary radiology services to the underserved communities.
Motsisi said over the next five years, Pristem plans to open a series of diagnostic centres in underserved communities throughout South Africa and beyond.
She said the second diagnostic centre is scheduled to come on stream during the first quarter of 2024 at Maponya Mall in Soweto.
“The successful roll out of these centres will expand South Africa’s diagnostic capacity by more than four million to complement primary healthcare services offered by General Practioners and Primary Healthcare Clinics operating in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
“The diagnostic centres are equipped with an innovative and scaleble radiology solution developed by Pristem to operate reliably in challenging environments such as South Africa’s where power outages and adverse climatic conditions are the norm.
“The solution addresses a conspicuous need for quality diagnostic services within South Africa’s healthcare space and will make a meaningful impact on reducing the burden of disease in our country,” said Motsisi.
Affectionally known in the community as the “Father of Alex,” Twala is well respected for his selfless philanthropic work in the township spanning many years.
In 1986 he built “Phuthaditjhaba,” a centre of excellence dedicated to the elderly and children of Alexandra.
The double-storey building is situated in the heart of Alex and houses a feeding scheme for the children and the elderly.
The centre also provides primary health services, early childhood development classes and offers a gym, library, computer room as well as music rooms equipped with traditional percussion instruments.
“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,” says Motsisi.
