15 April 2009
In terms of the government calendar, April is celebrated as Health Month. It
is during this month that we heighten our efforts of creating intensive
awareness to the populace as whole about the importance of preserving and
leading good health practices.
Our central message is that everyone is responsible for his or her own life.
That responsibility cannot and should not be delegated to someone else. It is
important to be conscious of how our daily conduct affects our health, and the
effects of this to yourself, family, community and society as whole. Central
pillars of this approach are: physical activity, good nutrition and safer
sexual choices.
The department has also used the month to officially launch clinics as part
of the government effort of making health accessible to all South Africans. The
norm for health care facilities is that no person should walk more than five
kilometres to access health facility.
The department has aggressively built many clinics in last five years
focusing in under resourced and predominantly rural areas such as Nkomazi,
Bushbuckridge, Thembisile Hani, Albert Luthuli, Mkhonto, Pixley Ka Seme and Dr
JS Moroka municipalities in the province. In Mpumalanga Province with a
population of 2,9 million people depending on public health care; we have 233
clinics operating eight hours a day, 46 community health centres (CHC), 23
district hospitals, five regional hospitals and four tuberculosis (TB)
hospitals.
In total, eleven clinics will be officially opened during this month. Please
note that others have already been opened.
5 April: Dludluma and Mananga CHCs in Nkomazi Municipality
9 April: Silington Clinic in Bushbuckridge Municipality
13 April: Zoeknog clinic in Bushbuckridge Municipality
14 April: Madras clinic in Bushbuckridge Municipality
15 April: Kildare clinic in Bushbuckridge Municipality
16 April: Block B clinic in Nkomazi Municipality
17 April: Thembalethu CHC in Thembisile Hani Municipality
20 April: Sakhile clinic in Standerton and Embalenhle CHC in Govan Mbeki
21 April: Mjejane Clinic in Nkomazi Municipality
'We are driven by our desire of ensuring that all our people have quality
health. We are conscious to the fact that the road ahead remain mountainous and
rocky, but with the progress made thus far, we are without doubt confident that
we will realise our common objective; quality health for all people of
Mpumalanga,' said MEC Fish Mahlalela.
MEC Fish Mahlalela will preside over the opening of these clinics.
Media is invited.
For more information contact:
Mpho Gabashane
Cell: 082 802 4937
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
15 April 2009
