The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health will host a three day Provincial Health Summit under the theme: Transforming Healthcare: Beyond 2011 which aims to bring various stakeholders to meet, exchange views and debate critical issues affecting the sector. It is also hoped that the summit will chart a clear way forward for the delivery of healthcare in the province.
Journalists are invited to attend the summit which will take place from 2 to 4 September 2011 at the Durban’s Olive Convention Centre from 8h00. The keynote address is expected from the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, as well as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize.
The three day summit will attract 800 delegates comprised of managers from the department, community based organisations, private health sector providers, academia, non-governmental organisations, issue based organisations, faith based leaders, Amakhosi and, but not limited to, traditional health practitioners.
The summit will: analyse and assess the state of the healthcare system in KwaZulu-Natal, assess the extent to which the province has implemented the five priorities of government, identify key challenges facing the healthcare system, provide intervention and solutions to the challenges and find a better way to solicit views of different stakeholders in a more integrated and coordinated manner within the sector.
“Notwithstanding the gains in past decade of democracy, the healthcare system has not adequately and entirely achieved its transformational goals,” says the MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. “Some of these include: the two tier health system, inadequate human resource, low retention rates, quality management in hospitals, and perceived lack of fit between health professionals and the world of work and the inability of the system to replace its specialist’s work force.”
The summit will be a forum for all major stakeholders in the health sector to meet, exchange views and debate critical issues affecting the sector. A summit declaration will be adopted outlining a set of principles and understandings as regards to the purpose, role and direction for the healthcare system in the province.
“Much more needs to be done to create the healthcare system that discharges at the rate expected and as aspired by the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The outcomes of the summit will act as a guide and point of reference to the continuing work of the department, hospitals, workers, students and other government departments,” concludes MEC Dhlomo.
Journalists are requested to confirm attendance by sending an RSVP to Sifiso.xulu@kznhealth.gov.za or to call (033) 395 2547 by no later than 29 August 2011.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
