Bo Ndabezitha:
Inkosi yaKwaFuduka Mama Mthethwa, highness uma Mtshali
Inkosi Zulu – yaKwaNgenetsheni
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison – Hon Willies Mchunu
Abaqulusi Local Municipality Mayor – Cllr Precious Khaba
Izinduna nama Councilor
Senior officials from all Govt Departments Vryheid Hospital CEO – Mrs Sibongile Nkonyane Fuduka Clinic manager and the staff
Clinic committee chairperson
Malunga omphakathi ahloniphekile
BoNdabezitha, it is with great pride that we come here today to officially present to you and the community you lead this Kwa-Fuduka Clinic that the caring Government led by Baba uMsholozi has constructed at the total cost of R11 200 000.
It was indeed a worrying factor that all Governments that were in charge of our country and the Province prior 1994 did not think of the Health needs of this community. Babengenandaba noma niyaphila – niyagula noma niyafa!!
I am happy that in 1996 when realising that a democratic Government was in power, Mama Mkhwanazi and other community members came forward and put up an application for the clinic.
Since there was still planning to be done, our former Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize who was the Health MEC then urgently provided a Mobile Clinic Service for the 3116 strong community in this area.
We also thank Rev. Hawu Mbatha who in 2003 again assisted in putting up the application for clinic which was then built in 2010 and completed in October 2011.
Uhulumeni uyalalela; Uhulumeni uyaphendula!
Ndabezitha, we are indeed happy that the clinic is situated in this area where it is being of good service to people in rural settings and that it is being accessed by the elderly and children particularly those that attend to the four Primary Schools in this area.
Let us all appreciate that this clinic offers a lot of services that encompass all the stages of human development from when the woman is pregnant to treating chronic illnesses that afflict people in their old age, vis:
- HIV Counselling and Testing
- TB Treatment
- Maternity service
- Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
- Post natal care
- Child Health care
- Family Planning
- Treatment of Chronic diseases
- Treatment of minor ailments
- Mental health care services
- Eye care services
- Oral health care
- MMC Screening
Imisebenzi kaHulumeni iyabonakala
We are very elated that today’s event is graced by the leadership of the people here that includes the School Principals and Abefundisi because we rely on them in ensuring messages of healthy living are passed on to the greater populace.
We are also very satisfied that there are 31 CCGs that take care of the sick and frail people in their homes and also carry out Community based services.
BoNdabezitha, CCGs are an important element in our health system and their work needs to be supported in that through the Phila Mntwana project they offer services for Growth Monitoring and early identification and referral of children under five years with health problems and thus promote quick intervention. Their noble efforts assist us in the reduction of infant and child mortality rates. Everyone in leadership position within the community should also assist in the identification of the malnourished children.
Leadership can also assist in the curbing of teenage pregnancy as according to the World Health Organisation any girl under the age of 18 falling pregnant runs a risk of dying or losing the baby she is carrying or both of them dying.
As leaders, we also have to openly talk about the social ills that have beset our communities. Rape incidents involving underage girls and abo Gogo are on the rise in our Province.
Boys and men need to be encouraged to undergo Medical Male Circumcision where under the guidance of traditional leadership and elders get to learn how to be real and responsible males.
BoNdabezitha, we are saying now that the people have a health care facility, they must come forward and use it mostly for screening purposes so that they can be aware of ailments that are preventable and easily treated when detected early. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Our people should also heed the call our President, Honourable Jacob Zuma in that all South Africans should be tested so that everyone can know his/her own status and the good thing in this is that all those testing positive can have their lives prolonged if they are started on the life saving drugs early.
We also call upon all women, especially the pregnant mothers, to make full use of the services we offer in our clinics and hospitals. Early booking is very crucial for our Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission program. It is the only way in which we can ensure that all babies born are free of the HIV infection.
Lastly, we have a message to our health care providers that patients must be treated with utmost respect. Our health care workers must always remember that when people go to clinics it is because they have health problems and that they are basing all their hopes to nurses that whatever discomfort they are experiencing will be attended to.
We also appeal to the management here to always ensure that this clinic complies with the minimum core standards that we laid down for all our institutions as tabulated in the Make me look like a Hospital project entailing:
- Cleanliness,
- Infection Control
- Reducing long queues
- Availability of Medicines
- Security and Safety of Staff, as well as,
- Attitude of Staff
Let us work together to ensure a long and healthy life for all. Please make use of the services offered here and protect the staff deployed here to serve you.
I thank you.
