The MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal is to engage in a road show aimed at strengthening collaborations between the department and communities it serves for the improvement of the quality of healthcare delivery.
The road show will be in the form of district visits starting this Thursday, 21 July 2011, in Amajuba. Journalists are invited to the visits to Amajuba (Newcastle) on Thursday, 21 July 2011 at 10h00 and uThukela (Ladysmith) on Friday, 22 July 2011 at 13h00 to indicate by calling Chris Maxon on 083 447 2869.
The MEC says, “When this administration took office we identified ten key priorities which are reflected in the Ten Point Plan or the health roadmap. Amongst these priorities of government is mass mobilisation for better health of the people. In this we endeavour to mobilise communities and all sectors in the delivery of quality healthcare. This road show, which I am embarking on, is a step in that direction.”
The district visits will see the MEC engaging management, staff, faith organisations, amaKhosi, youth and women’s organisations on key areas of healthcare delivery. These will include maternal and child health, infrastructure development, provision and operation of emergency medical and rescue services, improvement of hospital management as well as safety and security in hospitals.
There has been progress in a number of areas of the Ten Point Plan.
These include the recent announcement by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on: the strengthening of the Primary healthcare where specialists will be employed to support Districts in the areas of Maternal and Child Health, health promotion and primary health care; improving the functionality and management of health facilities where all CEOs were assessed and health facilities to be re-categorised through a government gazzete and improving the quality of healthcare where the National Quality management and Accreditation Body has been established.
The visits will take place as follows:
- eThekwini District, Durban: 26 July 2011
- Ugu District, Port Shepstone: 29 July 2011
- Umgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg:2 August 2011
- uMkhanyakude, Hlabisa: 23 August 2011
- Sisonke, iXopo: 26 August 2011
- uThungulu District, Empangeni: 6 September 2011
- Zululand District, Ulundi: 8 September 2011
- Umzinyathi District, Dundee: 16 September 2011
The media is invited to these public engagements and details will be provided as the dates draw closer.
The MEC believes, “The department needs to strengthen its relations with all its stakeholders, including grassroots structures. The visits provide opportunities to communities to articulate compliments and concerns, as well as their recommendations for improving health service delivery. This process will also assist in reviving grassroots participation in health service delivery, which was pervasive at the advent of democracy in 1994, but which subsequently subsided over time.”
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
