Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, will on Christmas day visit the Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital, Paediatric and Maternity units as part of the department’s tradition in celebrating babies born on Christmas Day.
The visit forms part of the Department of Health's leadership drive to work together with all health workers and professionals to continue improving our work of delivering health services in the country's clinics and public hospitals.
It's important that we take a hands-on approach in responding to this challenge. The department and stakeholders in the health sector are working tirelessly to involve mothers and fathers in programmes that will guarantee that most babies in this country are born healthy. This is part of the great movement towards improving maternal, child and women's health and nutrition," said the deputy minister.
During her visit, Deputy Minister Ramokgopa will also highlight injuries as one of the pillars of the quadruple burden of disease in South Africa.Around 10% of all deaths in South Africa are due to non-natural causes. Most of these deaths occur at young ages and are preventable.
Prevention of violence and injuries is a national public health priority and relates to the department’s mandate of increasing life expectancy of all South Africans. One of the health risk factors identified that perpetuates injuries, is alcohol abuse. The incidents of injuries and deaths escalate during the festive season due to traffic crashes and domestic violence.
In light of the above the Deputy Minister will also visit the casualty unit to assess the rate of injuries and deaths addressed by health workers in public hospitals during this festive season.
The deputy minister would also like to send a message of goodwill to the health workers and emergency medical services personnel who have been working tirelessly during the festive season in ensuring that the lives of people are saved and that health services are accessible in public health institutions.
Members of the media are invited to join the Deputy Minister during this visit. Details of the visit are as follows:
Date: 25 December 2010
Time: 09h00
Venue: Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital (Rustenburg)
For more information please contact:
Ms Nombulelo Leburu (Director: Communication)
Cell: 082 444 9503
E-mail: NombuL@health.gov.za, Nombulelo.Leburu@yahoo.com
