“Our role and mandate as Department of Health is to give quality health care for all. We want to provide a healthy and longer life for our people; it is in that context as to why we are bringing such services closer to our people.” MEC Jack said during the Imbizo organised for the Valspan Community.
The MEC for Health, Mr Mac Jack, accompanied by the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms. Martha Bartlett, on behalf of the Northern Cape Provincial Government today visited the Valspan Community in Jan Kempdorp, Phokwane Municipality. The purpose of their visit was to create a platform for the community of Jan Kempdorp and the surrounding areas to raise their concerns around their health and safety matters during at an Imbizo.
This visit came after one reported incident (burning down of mobile clinic and the fixed clinic in Ganspan), that took place during the recent series of violent protests that erupted in the Phokwane Municipal areas, earlier this month.
The ongoing unrest also threatened the safety of the officials working at the Valspan primary health care facility and its functionality which then led to its temporary closure.
During the interaction with the community today, part of the concerns raised was the non-functioning of the clinic in the Valspan and Ganspan areas after a mobile clinic was burned down, another appeal was to improve the ambulance response times, as well as the Safety aspects within the community and at all health facilities. The community during the engagement apologised for their actions as they realised that the Northern Cape Provincial Government is a government that has always listened to its people since the advent of democracy.
The Provincial Government remain committed to improve the living conditions and services to all communities across the Province. It prides itself in serving the people with diligence, respect and dignity. In response to the issues relating to Health in the Jan Kempdorp community, MEC for Health, Mr Mac Jack, had this to say:
“It’s always correct to raise issues with us as government, because this remains the government of the people by the people, and as such, it remains our sole responsibility to respond to the plight of our people.
Our mandate as Department of Health is to give quality health care for all. We want to provide a healthy and longer life for our people, it is in that context as to why we are bringing such services closer to our people.”
MEC Mac Jack strongly condemns the burning down of government facilities during unrests and urged this community all communities to pride themselves in having such facilities. He further reminded our people that they are the core drivers of such institutions and they must not reverse the gains achieved in our 20 years of democracy.
The MEC also took the opportunity to condemn those officials who continue to misuse the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles, a big surprise is coming their way.
In his closing remarks the MEC again committed that the Valspan community clinic will again start to function fully as from Friday, 25 September 2014. Issues relating to shortage of staff and other resources will be attended to, in due course, as MEC Mac Jack promised to visit both facilities after the Imbizo.
With regard to the Safety of the Jan Kempdorp and its surrounding areas, the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Martha Bartlett had this to say:
“It is my plea to you as the community to work together with SAPS, the Community Police Forum and other role players to create a safer environment in your community.”
The visibility of the police will improve to ensure that by 2030 we have a South Africa and Northern Cape where everyone is and feel safe.
MEC Martha Bartlett also conveyed her condolences to the Moretimang family. The 23 year old was stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday morning in Valspan.
Enquiries:
Lebogang Majaha
Tel: 053 830 2001
Cell: 071 883 6404
