North West MEC Dr Magome Masike has pledged his undivided attention to improve and accelerate access to health services delivery in the provinces. Addressing health professionals, health facility managers and Bojalanala Platinum District Management during his first visit to clinics, community health centres and hospitals in the district to assess the conditions at the facilities, MEC Masike said working together and supporting one another will accelerate services.
"I am aware of the complexities and many challenges within this sector hence I will not fool you or myself into thinking that all these challenges will be dealt with, with relative ease, however, with all working together and supporting one another, a success story can be told. We have one of the best health infrastructures in the country, but infrastructure alone cannot improve delivery.We need efficient health professionals. Our communities shouldn’t be stressed by health professional and administrators. By being at the hospital or clinic is a sign of stress, we shouldn’t add more. We must make their live easier,” he said.
MEC Masike also called on health professionals help restore public confidence in public health facilities especially in clinics and community health centres. “Our hospitals continue to experience overflow of patients with minor cases that could have been seen and treated at a primary health level. Among reasons mentioned is lack of confidence in primary healthcare. We need to work with communities to have efficient primary healthcare. We can’t afford long queues” he said.
Among hospitals visited included Moses Kotane hospital in Ledig, a rural area near Phokeng and Pella Health Centre. MEC Masike was impressed by the existing infrastructure and resources allocated both facilities, but acknowledged that more still needs to be done in terms of staff establishment to improve contact patients and health professionals.
Medical supply
Dozen boxes containing drugs and medication have been dispatched from provincial medical stores to health facilities across the provinces following a delay caused by implementation of a new drugs and medication system which was approved by National Treasury and the National Health Council. The new system is now in operation.
The new system will over and above improving drugs management also substantially enforce checks and balances, prevent fraud and increase monitoring of stock levels.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Department Spokesperson
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Improved Primary Healthcare service delivery requires effecient health professionals
Province
