Programme director
Speaker of the Northern Cape provincial legislature
Mr JF van Wyk
Member of the Executive Council for Health, Mr Mxolisi Sokatsha
Member of the Executive Council for Finance, Economic Affairs and Tourism, Mr John Block
Mayor of Sol Plaatje municipality, Alderman Patrick Everyday
Chairperson and members of the Provincial Portfolio Committee on Health
The Chairman of BHP Billiton South Africa, Mr X Mkhwanazi and representatives from BHP Billiton
The Executive Producer of Carte Blanche, Mr George Mazarakis and colleagues
Chairperson and members of the Kimberley Hospital Complex Board
Acting Head of the Department of Health
Senior managers and personnel of the Department of Health and the Kimberley hospital complex
Members of the media
Esteemed guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I want to take this opportunity to wishing all a prosperous, fruitful and joyous 2010. Furthermore, as a country and a province, we are going to be part of the most prestigious sport event in the world this year namely the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. As the Northern Cape provincial government we want to encourage all to be part of this spectacular event and support the “Football Friday” campaign by wearing your Bafana Bafana soccer shirts on Fridays until the actual day of the world cup.
We are gathered here today to be part of a joyous occasion and celebrate another milestone in the improvement of health service delivery to our people. Guided by the “Batho Pele; People First” principles and the vision of the Department of Health, we have realised and contributed to our vision of health service excellence for all.
I also wish to take this opportunity to applaud the collaborative and laudable efforts by Carte Blanche and BHP Billiton to make constructive contribution towards improving our health system as well as to highlight and make a lasting difference in the lives of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, Chapter two of the Constitution containing the Bill of Rights clearly states that: “Everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment”.
As the Northern Cape provincial government we are committed towards achieving and realising this right and ensure that all in the province are experiencing this.
In addition, the issues raised by communities in the build-up to the April 2009 elections provided the basis for health being prioritised as part of the five priority areas to which the ANC led government has committed to deliver on in the next five years. Through the Department of Health, we will utilise resources to deliver on the health mandate in terms of quality management systems, revitalisation and maintenance of our infrastructure and building new facilities.
The new government’s 10 point plan for the health sector will be the guiding light for the Department of Health in improving health service delivery to our people namely the provision of strategic leadership, implementation of the national health insurance plan, improving the quality of health services, improving human resource management, overhauling of the healthcare system and it’s management, revitalisation of health infrastructure, mass mobilisation for better health for all, reviewing the drug policy, research and development, the accelerated implementation of the HIV and AIDS plan the reduction of mortality due to tuberculosis and associated diseases.
Revitalisation of health infrastructure as part of the 10 point plan is the focus of today. It is important for government to keep the balance between erecting new health infrastructure and maintaining already existing facilities and infrastructure. The Kimberley hospital complex forms the foundation of health service delivery in Kimberley and the province.
The Kimberley hospital complex is the only hospital in the Northern Cape with a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The refurbishment of this unit, as part of the television programme “Carte Blanche” charity campaign: “Making a Difference”, and financed by BHP Billiton, is seen a positive step in improving health service delivery and is aligned towards governments revitalisation of health infrastructure programme.
We are all gathered here today for the same purpose which is to lay the foundation for government and private sector to continue on a journey with the main goal of improving health service delivery in our province and our country. Healthcare facilities are responsible for rendering basic and specialised health services to communities, but due to limited financial resources, personnel and capacity, they are struggling to meet its constitutional mandate. However, the successful implementation of healthcare programmes and infrastructure depends on effective partnerships with the private sector and government in improving the delivery of quality healthcare. Today marks the success of such partnerships.
Public private partnership is an alternative service delivery vehicle with the strategic objective being to increase the role of the private sector in service delivery across all spheres of government. Government’s policy on private sector investment and participation in service delivery is to encourage private sector investment and participation to contribute to service delivery deficits and disparities and to address the daunting challenges faced in delivering of essential services.
We want to thank Carte Blanche and BHP Billiton for answering the call of public private partnership. Furthermore, thank you for taking hands with government and contributing positively towards the improvement of healthcare services to our people with the refurbishing of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Kimberley hospital complex. Your partnership and commitment is greatly appreciated and we hope as government we can continue to rely on this positive and successful partnership into the future. I hope this initiative will lay the foundation for future positive engagements between government and the private sector to really address the healthcare needs, problems and challenges facing our province and our country.
Ladies and gentlemen, as the provincial government and the Department of Health, we will continue to utilise all resources available and build on engaging the private sector to contribute to improve service delivery to all and create a better life for all. The Constitution and the Patients Charter will be our guiding lights to delivery on our mandate and ensure quality health service excellence to all.
Programme director, I want to conclude by saying that government and the private sector’s role and contribution to respond to healthcare service delivery challenges, should be the motivation to make a difference and change the lives of the people of Northern Cape for the better.
Working together, we can do more!
Thank you!
Dankie!
Ke a leboga!
Issued by: Northern Cape Provincial Government
12 January 2010
