Although Gugu Khumalo is not a qualified nurse she has taken the responsibility of bringing quality health care to her community.
Khumalo, a businesswoman and a pastor, has established Mpathy Clinic in Umlazi’s E section.
She said she was emotional and excited for the people of her hometown as there was a great need for a private clinic.
Mpathy Clinics, powered by global pharmaceutical company Viatris and the Contribute Foundation, enable and empower women to eventually own the healthcare facility, provide accessible, advanced and quality private primary healthcare at affordable rates to poor communities.
Services are a fraction of the cost of seeing a private doctor, with a consultation ranging between R100 and R300.
Khumalo was able to establish the clinic with the assistance of Rhiza Holdings.
According to the healthcare manager of Rhiza Holdings, Lerato Seheri, the model operates in the following way: “We secure funding to establish a fully equipped clinic, covering all medical equipment and supplies. The clinic is expected to break even within 18 months.
“After breaking even, the nurse repays the loan interest-free over the next five to seven years. Once the repayment is complete, the nurse, in this case Gugu Khumalo, owns the clinic.
“This is a franchise model that includes comprehensive support throughout the process,” she said.
The clinic officially opens on September 1. It boasts the latest in primary healthcare technology, including telemedicine services and a 3D ultrasound machine. Their services include emergency services, HIV/Aids testing and counselling, ARVs and chronic disease management. It will be open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm.
Khumalo said she encountered many challenges during the establishment of the facility, including the change in government-which often compelled her to redo some of the application processes, and the arrival of the COVID-19 virus which had forced her to put things on halt at some point.
She also runs a non-profit organisation that promotes community development and community empowerment. She initially ran a soup kitchen, before gradually including an Early Childhood Development Centre.
The ECD centre was looted and damaged during the 2021 riots, but Khumalo did not allow that to deter her, instead she worked harder and eventually got everything back in running order, through sponsorships
“I can confidently say I worked very hard to be where I am today. It was not easy having late nights drafting endless proposals.
“My passion is community development and empowerment. I love to help wherever I am needed,” she said.
Khumalo advised young women to never give up, saying: “Disappointments will always be there, but use them as stepping stones for you to push harder and move forward. They must just push, as they have all the abilities within them.”