The Ministry of Health has had to postpone the unveiling of the National Health Operations Centre (NATHOC) which was scheduled to happen in Pretoria this afternoon. The postponement is due to unpredictable circumstances that have made it impossible for all the relevant ministers in the project to be present. The new date, expected to be before the soccer spectacular kick-off will be announced soon.
The centre has been established with the sole aim of ensuring seamless flow of health information between stadiums, fan parks, viewing areas and ports of entry into South Africa.
Once operational, the centre will receive daily incident reports from provinces and assess the trends in order to ensure appropriate interventions at all times. The facility will also monitor and support provinces in managing any possible outbreaks of diseases.
With only a few days to go before the start of the soccer tournament, the Ministry of Health is satisfied with all the health-related plans put in place thus far to ensure a successful event. These plans entail among others, emergency medical services, hospital services, communicable diseases control, forensic medicine and forensic pathology services.
The ministry wishes to apologise to members of the media for inconvenience caused with the unforeseen turn of events.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
3 June 2010
