The Eastern Cape Department of Health hosted the first Official Development Assistant Summit at the Regent Hotel from the 18 to 19 September 2009.
The objectives of the summit were mainly to acknowledge the work done by international donors in the province and also to present the department’s five year plan to the development partners.
Speaking on the opening day of the summit, Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kiviet said, “We are committed in ensuring that resources received are used to better the lives of the people of the province,” She also mentioned that the government’s focus is on eight priorities which included speeding growth, managing accountability strengthening of education and improving the health profile.
The summit was also aimed at identifying gaps, mobilise more resources for the benefit of the public health sector and also to build a framework for donor coordination in the province.
MEC for Health, Mr Phumulo Masualle showed gratitude to the donors and said “It is impossible to make it without our international partners and we have committed ourselves to closely monitor our programmes and attach seriousness to what should be done.”
Since 1994 the donors such as European Union, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Italian cooperation and European commission have been pouring money into the province assisting with, building of clinics, revamping of hospitals, training of managers and funding of HIV and AIDS related projects. In line with Paris declaration of 2005, which guides the relations between donors and the recipient’s countries, the department assisted by Italian cooperation has now developed an electronic donor database to assist with the monitoring of the work supported by development partners or donor funders in the province.
The summit was attended by international cooperation represented by the deputy ambassador to South Africa, USAID represented by Dr M Fanning, European commission represented by its head of operation Mr Patrick Simmonet, centre for disease control, pan international cooperation agency, Fred hollows foundation and Germany.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
22 September 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
