Provincial health departments are set to receive a major human resources boost when health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will be announcing a new trainee programme driven in conjunction with the European Union in Johannesburg tomorrow.
With the phasing-in of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme in April this year, the health Minister outlined his intentions to address capacity shortcomings in the areas of financial management, information and communication technology and supply chain management in provincial health departments throughout the country.
Four hundred (400) Trainees with qualifications in accounting, human resources management and ICT have thus far been recruited by the national health department for training and deployment in provincial health departments. "Most of the challenges that provinces encounter are in the areas of financial management, procurement and human resources and these are key in the running of any department or entity. The 400 trainees that we have recruited and trained will go a long way in helping us address these challenges", said the health minister in announcing the European Union-funded programme.
Two months ago a number of trainees were recruited through a similar programme for training and deployment in the country`s forensic laboratories as part of strengthening capacity in these facilities.
Members of the media are invited to attend the announcement scheduled to be addressed by the Minister, EU and World Bank representatives at an event scheduled as follows:
Date: 31 May 2012
Time: 13h00
Venue: Birchwood Conference Centre (Baobab Room)
