North West Health and Social Development MEC, Rebecca Kasienyane is confident that nothing will curb expansion of social services and primary health care provision to every corner of the province. Kasienyane was speaking in Dr. Ruth Segomotse Mompati District during her two days, 17 and 18 June 2009 drive to assess conditions of all public health facilities in the province, meet with health professionals, support staff and stakeholders. She was impressed by the multimillion (250 metres) construction of Vryburg hospital, which 90% of construction is completed.
"I'm confident that this hospital will reduce load in existing health facilities in Vryburg" Kasienyane said.
Kasienyane also visited Christiana hospital and Taung hospital, which she was impressed by existing infrastructure and resources but acknowledge that more still needs to be done in terms of staff establishment to improve contact patients and health professionals.
She is concerned with health professionals leaving rural areas to work in the cities. She promised to priorities improvement of infrastructure in rural areas to meet those in cities to attract health professionals.
The visit was prompted by the MEC's desire to experience conditions at health facilities first hand and to meet with health professionals, social workers, support staff and stakeholders.
Addressing health professionals, social workers, stakeholders and support staff, Kasienyane pledged her undivided attention to delivery of a healthy nation.
"I wish to pledge to all of you, my undivided attention and leadership with a view to accelerate health and social service delivery in the province. Once again, 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" she said.
She however promised that, with all working together and supporting one another, a success story can be told. Kasienyane made it clear to staff that she does not want to be associated with mediocrity.
"I am impatient with unco-ordinated programmes and will not tolerate laziness. All of you who are working for this department is firstly employed to deliver on the departmental goals weather you are at a district, service point, hospital or provincial office and nothing else" she said.
She wished a speedy resolution to ongoing negotiations regarding Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD), which will see salaries of health professionals improved.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Department Spokesperson
Tel: 018 387 5628
Cell: 078 170 0037 or 082 929 9958
