The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, will visit the district of Umzinyathi which once became infamous for high incidence of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the recent past.
The MEC’s visit will feature the opening of a new clinic which cost the department around R6 million. The clinic will be a very important contribution to a community that has a very poor health seeking behaviour.
UMzinyathi District is largely a rural area with 70 percent of its area being traditional authority land. The remaining 30 percent of land is commercial farm land. Approximately 99 percent of the population lives in traditional areas. The MEC believes that; “As the department increases the clinics, we hope to improve access to healthcare where they live.”
“Our goal is to ensure that people do not have to travel long distances seeking healthcare. We have seen how long distance between where people live and the clinic impacts on better health outcomes,” the MEC added.
Journalists are invited to attend the MEC’s visit which will take place as follows:
Date: 29 March 2011 (Tuesday)
Time: 09h00
Venue: kwaSenge, Umzinyathi
Transport is available for journalists and will depart from the Durban Playhouse at 06h00 on Tuesday, 29 March 2011.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
