The City has announced that its Health Unit has received a state-of-the-art health outreach vehicle which was developed and handed over by Toyota South Africa Motors on Wednesday.
“The Hilux single cab 4x4 was converted to serve the needs of the rural communities of Mdumezulu in ward 105 and Madundube in ward 100 in uMbumbulu.
The vehicle is part of an eight-month pilot project, formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement between Toyota and the City, to assess its effectiveness in providing services to these communities,” stated the municipality communications unit.
Toyota presented the vehicle to the eThekwini Municipality, which was gratefully received by Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for this act of generosity, which he said aligns with the values championed by Nelson Mandela.
“We are delighted as a City that Toyota came on board to assist us in providing excellent primary health care to the people of uMbumbulu. We can only succeed as a nation if we continue to form such partnerships with the private sector,” said Xaba.
The vehicle is equipped with advanced features to enhance patient care, including a freshwater tank, WiFi connection, solar panels, a tilt bed, a microwave, a fridge, and a service window. It was designed to address challenges faced by residents of uMbumbulu in accessing healthcare services.
The challenges included bad road conditions and long walks to clinics. Toyota South Africa president Andrew Kirby announced that the company had developed a new all-terrain vehicle specifically designed for use in rural healthcare. The vehicle was tested on gravel roads to determine its compatibility with bad weather conditions before it was passed.
“This was a momentous occasion for us to be able to contribute meaningfully to our communities. We are committed to contributing to the advancement of our society,” said Kirby.
To ensure efficient delivery of healthcare services to various communities, the City said its health unit will provide comprehensive training to all healthcare workers who will operate the designated vehicle.
The Mercury