North West MEC for Health and Social Development Rebecca Kasienyane is taking her health and social services delivery check and assessment of conditions in health facilities to Dr Kenneth Kaunda district from 23 to 24 July 2009. The two day visit is part of continuous efforts by the MEC to strengthen dialogue and build relationship with all stakeholders.
Part of Kasienyane’s visit to Kenneth Kaunda will be the launch of a certificate for Kosh Educare Development Project (KEDEP) in Ventersdorp on 23 July at 09h00. The project which is run in conjunction with ABSA Bank aims to prepare Educare Development (ECD) practitioners to be able to cater for the needs and development of children from early age. Dr Kenneth Kaunda currently has over fifty ECD centres registered with KEDEP.
As an element of forging relations between the department and private health practitioners, Kasienyane will at 18h00 meet with private doctors at Tshepong Hospital’s Bytell Hall.
On 24 July Kasienyane will visit Secure Care Centre in Jouberton and Klerksdorp/ Tshepong Hospital at 10h00 and 11h00 respectively. Kasienyane will also assess progress made in the construction of first radiation oncology facility to be built in the province. The province was without radiation facility; hence patients were transported to Gauteng hospitals for treatment at the expense of the department. The unit which is expected to be fully operational in late August 2009 will see over 150 patient’s currently receiving treatment in Gauteng.
Similar visits were done in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Bojanala Platinum District MEC Kasienyane expressed confidence in the level of service delivery, but acknowledged that more still needs to be done with accommodation of health practitioners and office space for social workers particularly in the rural areas to attracted and retain professionals. In her visit to Bojanala last week, Kasienyane met with members of People’s Independent Practitioner’s Association (PIPA), association of private medical practitioners who declared their willingness to volunteer their services to the department, particularly rural communities.
The visits to health facilities were prompted by the MEC’s desire to experience conditions at first hand and to listen to challenges that health professionals are facing.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 078 170 0037
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
