Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela will on Wednesday, 3 July, 2013 interface with communities Vryburg and surrounding areas in North West during a public hearing on issues surrounding poverty and health. The hearing which rides on her annual stakeholder dialogue, will be held under the theme “Strengthening Government's Ability to Deliver on Ending Poverty, and other Millennium Development Goals.”
The visit to Vryburg visit will be followed by a formal stakeholder meeting with chief executives from public hospitals, academics, provincial executives and representatives of the health sector NGOs in Mmabatho on Thursday. Both events are part of her office's ongoing National Stakeholder Consultative Dialogue.
The focus of this year's dialogue is informed by the complaints the Public Protector has been receiving and newspaper reports on the current state of affairs in health facilities such as hospitals and clinics. There have also been sporadic complaints from health caregivers such as doctors. While recognizing the excellent work done by the Department of Health, the public hearings seek to reinforce that work by focusing on trends in maladministration, which have resulted in three systemic investigations the Public Protector is currently conducting. The infant mortality, management of healthcare facilities; working conditions of staff, including professionals; quality of care; resources; procurement; and health in general.
During her two-day stay in the province, the Public Protector will engage with a stakeholders, including members of provincial legislatures, government, traditional authorities, civil society, political parties, organised women groupings and the general public. The Public Protector, will also conduct unannounced site-visits to some of the identified healthcare facilities to interact first-hand with healthcare professionals and patients.
Members of the public will also have the opportunity to discuss other issues involving the work of the Public Protector and any other service or conduct failure complaints against organs of state.
The event will be attended by chief executives from public hospitals, academics and representatives of the health sector NGOs will participate in deliberations. The dialogue is held under the theme:
The outreach event will take place as follows:
Date : Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Venue : Naledi Banquet Hall, Vryburg
Time : 10h00
The formal stakeholder event will be held as follows:
Date : Thursday, 4 July 2013
Venue : Mmabatho Convention Centre, Mmabatho
Time : 10h00
The media is invited to attend and cover the event(s). Those who wish to do so can confirm with Oupa Segalwe on 072 264 3273 or by mail to oupas@pprotect.org .
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi (Ms)
Spokesperson Public Protector South Africa
Tel: 012 366 7153
Cell: 079 507 0399
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
