Hundreds of people from around Ukhahlamba district municipality gathered at the Hlomendlini for the HIV and AIDS partnership celebration and opening of the Hlomendlini clinic in Sterkspruit.
The main purpose of the joint event was to strengthen and reinforce the importance of partnerships in upholding human rights and responsibilities within the context of HIV and AIDS and to officially open the Hlomendlini clinic.
Among the people who attended the event were MEC for Health Mr Phumulo Masualle, Acting Superintendent General, Mr Phumzile Zitumane, traditional leaders, representatives from various non-governmental and officials from government departments.
In preparation for the day the MEC first had a briefing session with Ukhahlamba district management and counsellors and he was very pleased with the report they gave. He also went to visit HTA site in Senqu sub district before the preceding of the main event.
Mbulelo Dyasi HIV and AIDS activist from Women in Partnership against AIDS (WIPPA) was one of the representatives who made pledges and he called upon all men to stand up and pledge “not to ever infect other people with HIV”. The clinic committee member mentioned that the opening of the clinic helped the community a lot as they used to travel long distances to access health services. He further pleaded with the management to make sure that more nurses were employed.
Addressing the crowd, Health MEC Mr Phumulo Masualle mentioned that the department can not do anything without cooperation from the community and encouraged the people to take charge of their health, he further pleaded with all men who were present in the event to obey the pledge they made (not to infect other people with HIV).
The MEC also mentioned that he was extremely happy with team work between the community, schools and health department in that area and promised that the number of nurses in the newly built clinic would be increased.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
2 November 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
