9 October 2006
The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, today celebrated her
66th birthday at the Johannesburg General Hospital where she is being treated
for a lung infection.
The Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, is expected to visit Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang later this evening to wish her a speedy recovery and a happy
birthday.
A number of other dignitaries have visited the Minister since she was
admitted to the hospital on Thursday afternoon, 6 October. On Saturday, the
Minister was visited by the first lady, Mrs Zanele Mbeki. Other visitors have
included the Members of the Executive Council (MECs) for Health from various
provinces and Tshwane Mayor, Gwen Ramokgopa.
The Minister also received a number of gifts, flowers and cards with
messages of support and well wishes from various sectors and role-players,
particularly in the healthcare industry.
On behalf of the Minister of Health, we would like to express our
appreciation to all those who have sent messages of support and wished Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang well during this period.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang is recovering steadily and is expected to remain
at the hospital for another few days. We would like to thank all the staff of
the Johannesburg Hospital for the professional treatment and high quality of
care and support they are rendering to the Minister of Health and her
family.
Notes for the Editors
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang is in the Folateng section of the Johannesburg
Hospital. The section was established to attract medical aid patients into
government health facilities and raise revenue that is used to improve the rest
of the hospital.
Clinical care in this section is rendered by the same team of doctors and
other health professionals that treats everyone who visits the hospital.
A number of other government hospitals in the country have implemented this
concept leading to major improvements in both the physical infrastructure and
the services rendered at these hospitals.
People who are covered by medical aid are encouraged to use these facilities
to save on the high cost of healthcare while receiving a high standard of
clinical care from well trained and experienced public health
professionals.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Health
9 October 2006
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
