Thembumusa Clinic in the Abaqulusi District in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal
21 February 2006
Programme Director,
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health,
Amakhosi,
Councillors,
Clinic and provincial staff,
Members of the community,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Department of Health's goal is to provide quality healthcare and by so
doing engaging relevant stakeholders, and emphasise community participation at
all levels of care.
Engagement of all stakeholders inclusive of non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) will ensure integration into the
health system and the implementation of strategies in a well co-ordinated and
comprehensive manner.
It is also important to note that the provision of accessible, affordable
and equitable comprehensive primary healthcare services to communities is
essential, as it is important that all communities have access to services.
Today, we improve access to our health services by opening Thembumusa Clinic
to address issues like those.
Community participation is critical to ensure ownership of this clinic; the
establishment of a clinic committee will ensure that community needs reach the
appropriate platform. It is then necessary to emphasise feedback to the
community.
We therefore need to:
* Get citizens to participate in the activities that seek to develop and shape
their communities to become more community centred;
* Pilot approaches to promote better coordination between the budgets of the
three spheres of government;
* Address the gross disparities in the levels of social and human
development;
* Develop systems and structures to improve and promote equitable access to
basic services;
* Identify clear co-ordination and leadership structures at both political and
technical levels;
* Addressing challenges emanating from assessment of the prevailing
circumstances, where communities live and work;
* Provide support and make resources available within the context of Integrated
Development Plans; and
* Initiate innovative and sustainable ways to combat the high levels of
unemployment.
You can recall that Thembumusa Clinic is new, following recommendations made
in 2002, where the old clinic was not big enough to cater for high number of
patients seen at this clinic - more than 600 patients a day.
The committee and the provincial Department of Health saw it fit to build a
new facility rendering 24-hour services. Patients will be referred to Vryheid
District Hospital from here. There is also collaboration with other departments
like the Police and Social Development that will enable extended care.
Currently, the main challenge is tuberculosis (TB) as approximately 40 newly
diagnosed TB patients were seen in the past two months. Other conditions
include scabies and ringworms. TB is a national health priority, has been
declared a crisis and needs a co-ordinated effort of all stakeholders,
including communities, for interventions to have a significant impact.
As Minister of Health, I am proud to announce that the following services
will be rendered at this clinic:
* Health promotion and health education
* TB and sexually transmitted infections
* Treatment of primary ailments and chronic care;
* Antenatal care
* Reproductive health services (Family planning)
* HIV and AIDS counselling, with VCT and PMTCT
* Emergency care and
* Child healthcare
* And all the other basic primary healthcare services
Government is committed to provide primary healthcare free at this point of
delivery:
* Everyone is able to use the public primary healthcare (PHC) system
irrespective of whether they are able to pay or not
* All care is free, if they come through the PHC clinics
* For pregnant and lactating women;
* Children under the age of six years; and
* Those with disabilities
In addition, the PHC infrastructure has been expanded significantly - since
1994 more than 1300 new clinics were built or had major upgrading.
The mission of public health is to ensure that people are healthy through
the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion and protection of
health. It is government's function to see to it that the vital elements are in
place and that the mission is adequately addressed.
This Thembumusa Clinic is important, and the services that the staff
provides are very important, but community members must also play their part.
Keeping healthy is the responsibility of each one of us. Make certain that this
clinic continues to keep you healthy.
The Move for Health Campaign, Vuka South Africa, is about encouraging each
other to take regular exercise. Each one of us should walk for at least 30
minutes, at least five times a week. We should walk, and sing and dance, and
keep our bodies healthy.
We must eat healthy foods. Good nutrition is essential for good health.
Obesity is a major problem because it is associated with high blood pressure,
diabetes, heart disease and strokes.
So we must all healthy food, eat more vegetables and use less sugar in our
diets! We must take exercise, walking is very important. It is also important
to avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs. This will ensure that the community of
eMondlo is healthy and fit to contribute to the building of our country.
To the community of eMondlo, I want to say: This is your clinic. Cherish it.
Protect it and look after it as it belongs to you. Use it to promote your
health status within the community.
Siyabonga.
Issued by: Department of Health
21 February 2006
