KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has visited Amajuba District to take stock of the progress made in piloting the District as National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation site. KZN has three of these that include UMgungundlovu and UMzinyathi.
Amajuba was added on the list because of the belief that it is bound to yield quick results as it is both rural and urban in its setting and also has adequate healthcare facilities for its population.
In this visit Dhlomo reviewed the R210 million Infrastructure Capital Projects that have been carried out in the District since 2009. These include a new Dannhauser Community Health Centre that offers maternal services on a 24 hour basis in a very outlying farming area. It also includes five new clinics in the rural areas of Ingogo; Charlestown; Viedrit and Mdakane.
As part of NHI requirements, he introduced 12 School Health Teams that visit Grade 1 learners in 98 schools screening common health challenges that impact on learning.
Dhlomo also announced the appointment of District Specialist Teams that included an Advanced Midwife and Primary Health Care Nurses provided to ensure that women don't die whilst giving birth.
Great innovations involving free sms messages to pregnant women and people on ARV programme were announced. These are used as reminders about on dates in which they should visit clinics.
Three Private Medical Practitioners were hailed for willingness to provide medical services to five rural clinics in the District.
The District was also hailed for successfully implementing an efficient pathway for chronic patients to collect their medication at their doorsteps in facilities like churches, halls and war rooms.
Dhlomo's visit to the District also coincided with the Graduation Ceremony of 253 Traditional Health Practitioners who were trained by the Durban University of Technology through the USAID Fund. Training provided included management of patients with HIV and TB on how they should be referred to clinics and hospitals; hygiene and infection control measures as well as promotion of medical male circumcision.
Lastly, Dhlomo unveiled a Mobile Hospital that will dock weekly in four selected rural communities of the District. The Technological advanced Mobile Hospital has an X-Ray machinery that can connect to hospitals through Telemedicine; Optometry equipment for eye screening, Dentist facilities as well as a Primary Health Care domain where all illnesses are attended to.
This very modern advanced Mobile also has an automated lift to hoist wheelchair bound patients and an inflatable gazebo used as a waiting area and a shelter to be used for health promotion purposes.
"We are very satisfied and proud of the progress made in preparing this District as a Pilot for NHI and are certain that other Districts can now come and learn from what we have achieved." says Dhlomo.
Enquiries:
Desmond Motha
Cell: 083 295 3901
