Section 28 (2) of the National Health Act: 61 of 2003 provides for a “provincial consultative body must promote and facilitate interaction, communication and the sharing of information on provincial health issues between representatives of the provincial department and provincial and municipal organisations identified by the relevant member of the executive council.” The new administration committed itself to exercise strategic leadership and mobilisation of leadership structures of society and communities at large to attain better health outcomes. It is anticipated that they will communicate messages to promote policy and ensure “buy-in” of civil society and encourage them to support government health programs. However; government will continue to exercise its leadership to ensure that its policies, priorities and allocation of resources are aligned across different spheres of government to ensure better health outcomes.
In this regard, the MEC seeks to coordinate different sectors to achieve improved health outcomes. It is hoped that this will develop a social compact through a discussion of different stakeholders, i.e., government, service providers, employers, employees, organised labour, health professional bodies and private health sector to get commitment to higher level of performance to achieve specific health targets and in particular, the Millennium Development Goals. This should result in a health social compact to guarantee the people of KwaZulu-Natal the best possible health services our country can offer.
At the PCHF, the MEC will present the policy outlook for the next five years and the Head of Department will give strategic framework for achieving better health outcomes. Key leaders and organisations will have the opportunity to engage during the forum with the hope of forging as we all move forward.
Journalists and reporters are advised of the event and invited to report on the deliberations of the forum.
Details are as follows:
Date: 17 June 2010 (Thursday)
Time: 07h30
Venue: Olympia Hall, Royal Show Grounds, Pietermaritzburg
(It is important, for ease of registration that those who would want to attend to RSVP by 9 June 2010):
D Naidoo
Tel: 033 395 2793
Fax: 033 394 1802 or 033 345 0114
E-mail: devi.naidoo@kznhealth.gov.za
For more information contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
