Budget Speech Vote: 7 for the Department of Health 2018/19 Delivered by: Limpopo Department of Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba at the Provincial Legislature, Lebowakgomo, 10th April 2018
Hon Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Hon. Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha
Hon. Members of the Executive Council (MEC’s) Hon. Chief Whip and Chair of chairs
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee Hon Mtileni Leader of the opposition
Hon. Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) Executive Mayors and Mayors
Leadership of the ruling party, the African National Congress, Leadership of SACP, Alliance Partners
Director-General of the province HOD for Health and All HODs
Executive Management of the Department and all healthcare workers Stalwarts and Veterans of our Movement
Esteemed Majesties
Traditional Health Practitioners Leaders of Religious Organizations
Leadership of the Trade Union Movement Representatives of the Non-governmental Organizations
Friends, family and colleagues
Members of the Media
Ndi matsheloni, avuxeni, thobela, goeie more, silotjhile, good morning
Honourable Speaker, 25 years ago the people of South Africa and Communists were robbed of our leader the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party. Cde Chris Martin Thembisile Hani was passionate about uplifting the social standard of the poor.
Cde Chris, a revolutionary, a soldier and a communist to the end defined socialism as: “Socialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory. Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless. It is about water for those who have no safe drinking water. It is about health care, it is about a life dignity for the old. It is about overcoming the huge divide between urban and rural areas. It is about decent education for all our people”.
Ardently the ANC-led government in ensuring that the ideals which Cde Chris lived and died for are realized, resolved on health and education as our key priorities as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as basic human rights.
We should therefore, in his memory, ensure that the National Health Insurance becomes a reality in our lifetime.
Last week we were dealt a devastating blow when the Mother of the Nation, social worker and self-trained nurse, passed on. Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will be remembered for her militancy, courage and defiance that kept the struggle against apartheid alive.
When she was banished and confined under house arrest in Brandfort, Free State, amongst the programs she initiated were building a crèche and a mobile clinic. This is a firm indication that our leaders were very clear during the struggle that education and health must become key social priorities in the democratic South Africa as it is to this day.
Just as Cde Chris, Mama Winnie was not only a gallant freedom fighter, but a trailblazer. She became the first black professional social worker to serve the people of Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. May her soul rest in peace.
Honourable Speaker, it is about time that we accelerate our forward march towards fundamental transformation of the public healthcare system- both as our constitutional duty and need to meet the expectations of the people of Limpopo.
It is about time that the dreams of all our revolutionaries who came before us of delivering quality healthcare services to our people become a reality. It is about time that the size of your pocket does not dictate access to quality healthcare.
Maternal, Woman, Child, Youth and Adolescent Health Services
Key amongst the health outcome indicators is the daunting challenge of maternal and under-five mortality.
Honourable Speaker, last year we made a commitment during our budget speech that the contradiction of a woman dying while giving birth must come to an end. We are proud to announce that in this year of Mama Albertina Sisulu a professional nurse and a midwife, we have made strides in reducing maternal mortality.
According to the District Health Information, institutional maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 130/100 000 live births in 2016/17 Financial Year to 111/100 000 live births in 2017/18 Financial Year, coming from 182 / 100 000 live birth in 2014/15 Financial Year.
Whilst this represents progress, we are however far from being satisfied, hence further efforts are in progress to reduce institutional maternal mortality ratio as indicated in the Sustainable Development Goals. To this end the department has initiated a project called mother and child centre of excellence in each district. Honourable Premier, it is about time that all of us as a Government and society beyond political affiliations, rally behind this project.
The Mother and Child Centre of Excellence must succeed. Mother and Child Mortality must fall, it is about time! Read more [PDF]
