The MEC for Health in province, Mr Mxolisi Sokatsha, would like to express his joy and gratitude towards the successful Ministerial health campaign conducted across the province during August and September 2010.
The campaign kicked off in the Pixley-Ka-Seme district in the towns of Petrusville and De Aar during the week of 23 to 26 August 2010. The campaign then moved to the Siyanda region during the week of 30 August to 2 September 2010 where the communities of Louisvale-Weg, Paballelo, Marchand, Alheit, Askham, Groot-Mier, Topline and Wegdraai were visited.
Lastly the campaign ended in Greater Nr 2, Galeshewe-Kimberley during the week of 6 to 9 September 2010.
The campaign was conducted under the umbrella of the HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign and its slogan: "I am responsible, We are Responsible, South Africa is Taking Responsibility".
The Northern Cape Department of Health and the Ministry embarked on this integrated multi-disciplinary HCT campaign which were executed successfully in the sense that the campaign objectives were reached.
The campaign is done in line with the ten point plan developed for the health sector and specifically addresses seventh point: accelerated implementation of the HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections national strategic plan 2007 to 11 and increased focus on tuberculosis (TB) and other communicable diseases; and eighth point: mass mobilisation for better health for the population.
MEC Sokatsha would to express a special thank you to our strategic health partners and also the respective District and local municipalities for their support, commitment and participation towards the campaign.
Campaign activities included health walks, door-to-door activities, health education sessions, exhibitions, community dialogues and candlelight memorial services. Services rendered included HIV counseling and testing, blood pressure assessment, blood sugar assessment, hemoglobin assessment, five TB screening (symptomatic screening, through five verbal questions), male and female condom distribution, oral health, eye health, H1N1 vaccinations and promotion of healthy lifestyles.
According to some statistics gathered in the districts, in Pixley-Ka-Seme 310, Siyanda 150 and Frances Baard 378 people tested and received counseling for HIV. In the Pixley-Ka-Seme district 19 people, the Siyanda district 13 and in the Frances Baard district 18 people tested positive for HIV.
Over 316 door-to-door visits were conducted in Pixley-Ka-Seme, 616 in Siyanda and 260 in Frances Baard. Dental patients consulted were Pixley-Ka-Seme 380, Siyanda 265 and Frances Baard 79.
The number of ophthalmic examinations conducted was Pixley-Ka-Seme 200, Siyanda 337 and Frances Baard 172. The number of clients screened for chronic illnesses were Pixley-Ka-Seme 441, Siyanda 1238 and Frances Baard 737.
Regarding the H1N1 campaign, the number of adults and children receiving treatment were Pixley-Ka-Seme 272 and Frances Baard 277.The number of patients screened for TB was Pixley-Ka-Seme 441, Siyanda 270 and Frances Baard 323.
The overarching challenges faced by our communities in terms of health service delivery challenges are among others insufficient human resources on facility level, long waiting times, negative staff attitudes, limited medical supplies, ineffective emergency medical services (EMS), poor access to specialised healthcare (eye care, dental care).
Socio-economic conditions are also posing health risks in our communities like poverty and unemployment, alcohol dependency, poor infrastructure (dilapidated dwellings), bucket systems and poor access to social support services.
MEC Sokatsha would like to encourage communities to report any form of non compliance to district health managers. The MEC acknowledges the challenges experienced by the department regarding the issues raised and indicated that all districts are in the process of addressing these challenges through clearly defined operational plans.
MEC Sokatsha also requests all municipal councilors to assess the health needs in their areas and report it to the department as soon as possible.
The ministerial health campaign will continue in the Namaqua and John Taolo Gaetsewe districts during October and November 2010.
We call upon all communities: Know your status, get tested!
Working together, we can do more!
Enquiries:
Andrid F Scholtz
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 0824479696
Fax: 053 8331925
E-mail : ascholtz@ncpg.gov.za
Province
