Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi accompanied by his counterpart from the Department of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu will this afternoon officially open the National Health Operations Centre (NATHOC) as part of the Department of Health's preparations for the FIFA World Cup due to start in the country next week.
The centre has been established with the sole aim of ensuring seamless flow of health information between stadiums, fan parks, public viewing areas and ports of entry into South Africa. Through the late Deputy Health Minister Dr Molefi Sefularo the Department of Health asked the
South African Military Health Services to help establish the centre to monitor and manage all health and medical incidents during the tournament.
The centre will receive daily incident reports from provinces and assess the trends in order to ensure appropriate interventions at all times. The centre will also monitor and support provinces in managing any possible outbreak of diseases. Live linkages to ensure real time communication with provincial health centres have been established.
Members of the media are invited to the unveiling of the NATHOC scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: 3 June 2010
Time: 14H00
Venue: South African Military Health Services, Kasteel Park, Leerddam Building, Jochemus Street in Erasmuskloof
Media attending this event are advised to arrive early as the occasion is taking place in a security establishment.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 395 8493
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
3 June 2010
