National Youth Health Indaba 2007, Kimberly, Northern Cape
25 June 2007
Programme Director
Honourable Premier
My colleague, MEC for Health
Officials from various government departments
Youth Ambassadors, Youth Commission
Representatives of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based
Organisation and Faith Based Organisations
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It gives me a great pleasure and honour to officially open the 2nd National
Youth Health Indaba 2007 that aims at deepening the participation of our young
people in the development of their own lives and their communities.
The 2nd National Youth Health Indaba forms part of the country's June month
activities planned to commemorate the 31st Anniversary of the Soweto Students
Uprisings of June 16, 1976 which was a major turning point in our struggle
against apartheid.
The Theme for this year's youth development month is: "Deepening Youth
Participation in Development through Service." The theme is aimed at
encouraging young people to actively participate in the reconstruction and
development of their own communities. It also encourages NGOs, the private
sector and government departments to renew their commitment and support in
accelerating service delivery to meet the needs of young people.
Last year, we convened the first Indaba in Mpumalanga to identify the
challenges facing young people in the country. A Declaration was made by the
National Youth Health Indaba to fully participate in all the activities
affecting their lives and to support government driven initiatives and help
develop new intervention strategies.
The second National Youth Health Indaba should therefore review the progress
made on in the implementation of the 2006 Youth Health Indaba Declaration. The
Indaba should also afford young people an opportunity to engage with the key
role players on Youth Development Programmes. It should strengthen
collaboration with all government departments, NGOs and private sector on
programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of young people.
The Department of Health is making progress in promoting youth empowerment
and development in line with the Youth Declaration 2006. Of the 1 279 people
currently employed at the national Department of Health, 731 of them are young
people between ages of 19-35 years. This means that more than 57% of the
full-time staff at the national Department of Health is made up of young
people. In addition, we have 44 interns receiving stipends of R2 080 per
month.
A three-year Clinical Associate Programme will commence next year, targeting
school leavers who matriculated with Maths and Biology, and bursaries will be
offered to those who qualify.
Young people also continue to participate in the delivery of health services
as community health workers and volunteers. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank in particular those who came to our facilities to assist
during the period of public service workers' strike. Your contribution is
highly appreciated.
With regard to communication challenges raised in the Declaration, we have
re-launched the Government HIV and AIDS communication brand, Khomanani - which
means Caring Together. The campaign has been structured in a manner that
supports our comprehensive approach to the major challenge of HIV and AIDS.
The tender for this communication campaign valued at R190 million over two
years has specific components dealing with the following focus areas:
* accelerated HIV and AIDS prevention
* care, treatment and support
* nutrition and HIV and AIDS
* health promotion
* tuberculosis (TB) and HIV.
Through this tender, we hope to intensify the communication campaign that
will encourage positive sexual behaviour to prevent new HIV infections and
mobilise access to care and support services for those who are infected and
affected.
I am happy to announce that the 2006 antenatal survey results show a
statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of HIV amongst pregnant
women who use public health facilities. This is mainly as a result of our
continued focus on prevention as the mainstay of our response to combat HIV and
lead to an HIV free society.
The report indicates that this statistically significant decline is mainly
amongst people under the age of 20 years followed by those between 20 and 24.
The decline in the under 20 year age from 15,9 % in 2005 to 13,7% in 2006
particularly implies a possible reduction in new infections (incidence) in the
population.
I would therefore like to thank young people for responding to the messages
of prevention. I would like to encourage you to continue taking care of your
health. We should continue to work together to address many social challenges
affecting young people.
We have to deal with the challenge of alcohol and substance abuse. We have
to strengthen support programmes for young people living with disability and
strengthen our resolve to create a non-sexist society. These are all issues we
raised in the Declaration which I believe will remain relevant to us over
time.
Programme Director, a number of build up activities has taken place from 18
to 24 June in all the Districts in this Province (Northern Cape) in preparation
for this Youth Health Indaba. A correctional service centre was visited as part
of the Youth Indaba Awareness campaign to have dialogue with youth in prison on
issues affecting them.
I have also been informed that the national Department of Health Soccer and
Netball teams were also part of the build up activities. The two teams played
against the Khoi and San communities, and also donated soccer and netball
kits.
Today is dedicated to the Department of Health, whereby health issues and
services available for young people will be discussed. I hope by the end of the
day, all the issues relating to health services for young people will be
discussed and we are looking forward to your recommendations.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all partners and sponsors of this event
for their generous support, commitment and dedication to make this Youth health
Indaba a success.
I hope and trust that this National Youth Health Indaba will attain its
objectives. Let's all work together to protect the future of our young
people.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health
25 June 2007
