On Tuesday evening, the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, spoke on uKhozi Radio Talk show following the suspension of the public servants strike, calling for the healing of relations that were strained during the strike in the interest of the people that are served in public health facilities.
“In health we save. We heal. We motivate. In providing healthcare to the citizens we are united. Health returns us to our origins, and here lies the ultimate act of saving, of healing, of overcoming dualism” said the MEC during the interactive talk show.
The MEC told listeners that the public servants strike had frayed relations between managers and staff, between colleagues in the same department and between healthcare workers and the people they are supposed to serve. Quoting from the holy book (Proverbs 17:22) the MEC made the point for the need of healing in the delivery of healthcare and said; "A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick."
He said; people have been called names, their property damaged and some physically intimidated including those who were stabbed and sjamboked by known and unknown assailants. He said while many have laid criminal charges against their attackers and the criminal system will continue; the process of healing is required to ensure that the delivery of healthcare is done in a collegial and caring environment.
“In our quest to heal and recover from the hurts that we have suffered, we seek for inspiration to guide us in times of sorrow. Reasons might not make sense during these periods of intense pain and suffering, and yet when given compassion, the sorrow would somehow lessen in intensity” said the MEC. “We therefore want to call on our Chaplains, leaders of all faiths, Psychologists and leaders in their various capacities in all districts to lead us in this process of healing for all healing is first a healing of the heart.”
The MEC emphasised that forgiving does not erase the bitter experiences. He told the listeners that a healed memory is not a deleted memory to make the point that the department does not expect people to forget the trauma they went through.
The Office of the MEC will coordinate the observance of prayer and healing that will take place in all institutions. The MEC and the HoD, together with the senior management in the department will attend some of these ceremonies for support.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
