History of Ndwedwe CHC

The medical services were very scanty in the Ndwedwe district as it was the common case in most rural areas. The community had various ailments and thus consulted Izinyanga and Izangoma. In the course of time they went for medical help at Montobello Hospital, Oakford and Ekukhanyeni Clinics. However, these institutions managed to assist by providing ambulances for conveyance of emergency cases to places like KEH and Edendale Hospital. Our community also consulted medical practitioners in Tongaat and Verulam. To a larger extent, some people went out as far as Victoria Pharrmacy (Victoria Street in Durban).

In 1960 the AMakhosi and community were eager to upgrade people’s lives. Negotiations were held with the Magistrate and Native Commissioner to utilize one office for consultations. Members of the public, and civil servants, as well as prisoners were attended to by Dr Brodie- the District Surgeon, who was assisted by Sister Msomi and Mr Velempini Ngcobo of Umsunduze.

Within a short space of time the Dept of Health built a 4-roomed house, in the early 70’s the State Health Services appointed the first black Health Inspector, a team was then formed and this team operated in mobile teams (Omahamba nendlwana) to visit public places like shops, schools to distribute TB tablets, inoculations, transport X-ray patients for reviews to hospitals. This office played a major role in sharing their services e.g. telephone and fax with the clinic staff. They also helped to provide their official transport to convey emergency cases to Osindisweni Hospital. In 1975 the KwaZulu Natal Government designed rural-type building plans for clinics in rural places and black townships. As a result Ndwedwe Central Clinic was erected and operations started in 1978. Two clinic sisters, (namely, Sister AV Cili and Sister M M Ngidi) assisted by one general worker (Rose Nyathi) were posted in this institution/ establishment. Work started and our community attended in their numbers. This clinic was once administered by Osindisweni Hospital and was later transferred to KwaMashu Poly Clinic’s (KMPC) control. In 1985 the Devine Life Society donated an ambulance to cater for community needs. In March 1999, work started on the construction of Ndwedwe CHC which was later officially opened by Hon Dr Manto Shabalala-Msimang – National Minister of Health and MEC Health: KZN Dr Zweli Mkhize on 19 August 2001.

Today this institution has also started rendering various services, according to the communities needs and the number of people we see on an everyday basis has grown tremendously.

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