at the official opening of Mfume Clinic
11 February 2006
Programme Director
KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Health, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni
EThekwini Mayor, Mr Obed Mlaba
Councillors and amakhosi present
Public Policy Association of South Africa (PPASA) CEO
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
May I take this opportunity to greet all people of iMfume, officials and all
our visitors today. It is a wonderful privilege for me to be part of this
gathering, standing in front of all these wonderful people who have come to
celebrate with us the official opening of iMfume Clinic.
I am happy that this day has finally arrived! It may seem like a small
affair to some of you but it is a very symbolic moment for me, my family and I
am sure, for the people of Mfume.
A lot has changed since the days of the Apartheid regime whose unequal and
fragmented health services could not meet the needs of the entire nation, with
most rural parts of the country without health facilities. Mfume was one of
those rural areas neglected by the past government.
It was because of these disparities, which, existed between our communities
then that my father, Junius Deliwayo Makilili Mali, donated a piece of his land
in order to give way for the building of the first clinic in Mfume. uBaba
uMakilili was a person who loved to see development in his community. uBaba was
also referred as âAmazemtitiâ because he played a very important role to
educate his community.
The clinic was built in 1981. It has been providing essential primary health
care services until today because of the support of the wonderful staff and
caring community.
It is befitting then that 25 years later we celebrate the existence of this
clinic which, has obviously brought hope to many people around the Thoyane
Traditional Authority. This occasion has been long standing.
This clinic is a wonderful gift, a demonstration of community-driven efforts
to improving the quality of their own health. Halala! Mfume Halala! Sizwe
sakithi nezihlobo zami engizithandayo ngibonga ukuphatha kwenu kahle
umtholampilo nabahlengikazi baseMfume.
As government, we will continue to work with you to address the legacy of
the past, which had left many people affected by various kinds of diseases
without proper health care services within their reach.
I have here with me the people you voted into power â the KwaZulu-Natal MEC
for Health, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni, with her senior health officials and eThekwini
Mayor, Mr Obed Mlaba, also with his officials. Your councillors and traditional
leaders are also here.
They are here today not only to celebrate with you but also to assess your
needs in order to fulfil that promise of ensuring that every South African has
access to basic services such as safe water, proper sanitation and health
care.
As government, I am proud to say that we have made great strides in bringing
health services closer to our people so that you do not have to travel many
kilometres to the nearest clinics. We will continue despite all the challenges
to redress health inequalities by ensuring that facilities in rural areas are
properly staffed and have the necessary resources to function effectively.
In his State of the Nation Address on 3 February 2006, the Honourable
President: Mr Thabo Mbeki alluded to the following statement. I quote: âIn the
area of health, over 1 300 clinics have benefited from the upgrading programme
and more have received additional equipment and the programme to revitalise
hospitals is proceeding apaceâ.
âOur future plans in this area include the further expansion of the health
infrastructure, the refurbishment of existing clinics and hospitals and the
re-opening of cursing college to increase the numbers of these important
professionalsâ. Mfume Clinic has also benefited from the programme to renovate
all dilapidated clinics to improve the quality of healthcare.
But even as we try to effect change, we are aware that in some parts of the
country the process has been slow and that some of the clinics are still
without municipal water connection, electricity and municipal sewerage
connection and telephones. But we are working together with other affected
Departments to eliminate the backlogs in these clinics.
I am mentioning this because of a report that has been given to me about
some of the challenges facing the health officials of Mfume Clinic â that there
is a shortage of consulting rooms, the clinic is not well equipped and there is
a shortage of patientsâ toilets. As I had indicated earlier on, my colleagues
are here to hear your challenges and make efforts to improve your
conditions.
I am informed that the Clinic is currently being renovated to cater for
programmes such as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and other
health services. I am also told that the Department of Health and the Ugu
District Municipality have jointly established Home-Base-Care programme for the
community of iMfume and trained 50 home-based carers who were provided with the
care kits to render services in the community.
The recent additional developments in this clinic I am told, is the
ward-based HIV and AIDS Programme, which will focus on awareness creation, care
and support for the infected and the affected including the promotion of
healthy lifestyles. This programme will commence later this month to address
multi-factorial causes of under development. Furthermore, the Department has
trained 43 people on Trauma Management jointly with the National Peace
Accord.
We need to strengthen community participation and involvement at health
service delivery level. The aim of community participation is to increase
peopleâs involvement and contribution at the local level.
I appeal to you to work with your local clinic and take advantage of
benefits that this facility brings here. It is your duty to make decision
regarding your health, to understand the causes of illnesses and your personal
responsibility to lead a healthy lifestyles through a healthy diet, regular
exercises and by avoiding risky behaviour such as smoking alcohol abuse and
unsafe sex.
Today, I am emphasising the importance of engaging in regular physical
activity by donating six soccer kits to your local clubs. This is part of the
move for Health Campaign, which we launched on the 30 May 2005, to promote
community-based physical activity. I challenge all women and elderly people to
join me in this endeavour by establishing community-based health walk
clubs.
Right now, as I speak, I have come with my departmental soccer and netball
teams who will be playing friendly matches with your local club. This is a
demonstration of commitment in the promotion of physical activity among
communities.
Vuka South Africa move for your health!
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Health
11 February 2006
