Today, the Provincial Health Summit of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health started in earnest this morning with the Director-General of the national Department of Health Ms Patricia Matsoso challenging delegates to look at the National Health Insurance (NHI) as a social mobilisation policy.
Addressing the eight hundred delegates meeting at the Durban’s Olive Convention Centre for the next three days (2 to 4 September) she said, “We need to look at the NHI with fresh eyes. To me it is a social call to all of us to change and rebuild our social structure. It must talk to each one of us and we must respond by shouting ‘Thuma mina’ (send me please).”
She added that in 50 years’ time we must be able to look back with pride the achievement we would have made in achieving universal access to health care in the country.
The summit was officially opened by the MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and has attracted a number of delegates including the MEC for Health and Social Development in Mpumalanga Ms Dikeledi Mahlangu, Dr Olive Shisana of the Ministerial Advisory Committee, the MEC for Finance in KwaZulu-Natal and other key stakeholders in the health sector.
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal is expected to address the summit at 14h00 who will be followed by a number of speakers on key health issues.
Journalists are invited and for more information please contact Chris Maxon at 083 447 2869.
For picture please contact Themba Mngomezulu at 072 517 5417.
