Government’s motto that “Working together we can do more” has yielded results in a form of Mkhontokayise and Isiboniso Clinics in Uthungulu District. Thanks to the progressive Private Public Partnership by Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), HOPE and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, to combat health challenges facing the community of Umhlathuze Municipality.
With the community facing challenges of malnutrition, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, and other ailments everyday, RBM in partnership with Department of Health have built six clinics (five currently operating) with the seventh built in partnership with HOPE. These health facilities are aimed at addressing basic health needs of the communities.
KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, together with RBM representatives will be visiting five clinics operating under this partnership on 3 December 2009. The official opening of new clinics, Mkhontokayise and Isiboniso health facilities will take place on 4 December 2009.
This initiative is in line with President Jacob Zuma’s clarion call that mobilises South Africans to work hand in glove to improve the lives of our people.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma said: “We are seriously concerned about the deterioration of the quality of health care, aggravated by the steady increase in the burden of disease in the past decade and a half.
“We have set ourselves the goals of reducing inequalities in health care provision, to boost human resource capacity, revitalise hospitals and clinics and step up the fight against the scourge of HIV and AIDS, TB and other diseases.
“We must work together to improve the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for the Treatment, Management and Care of HIV and AIDS so as to reduce the rate of new HIV infections by 50% by the year 2011. We want to reach 80% of those in need of Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment also by 2011,” said President Zuma.
It is in this spirit that the three partners have taken this all important step to respond to the call of the President.
We invite the media to be part of this occasion that will be in Umhlathuze Municipality. Details are as follows:
Mkhontokayise Clinic
Venue: Port Dunford Area, Mkhwanazi Traditional Authority (Umhlathuze Municipality)
Date: 4 December 2009
Time: 9h00
Or
Isiboniso Clinic
Venue: Empembeni Area, Dube Traditional Authority (Umhlathuze Municipality)
Date: 4 December 2009
Time: 11h00
For more information, contact:
Sibonelo Msomi
Cell: 083 980 7481
Or
Sbu Zondi
Richards Bay Minerals
Cell: 079 516 5783
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
4 December 2009
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznhealth.gov.za)
