opening of new clinic for Boitshoko community in Tsineng, Moshaweng
24 March 2009
Programme director
Members of the Executive Council
Members of the Provincial Portfolio Committee on Health
Acting Executive Mayor of John Taole Gaetsewe District Municipality, Mr B
Gaobusiwe
Mayor of Moshaweng Local Municipality, Mr T Seikaneng
Mayors and councillors of the district and local municipalities from John Taole
Gaetsewe district
Community and religious leaders
Government officials from various government departments
Representatives from the private sector
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Community of Tsineng and surrounding areas
Today we are celebrating and realising the principle of "Batho pele â People
First". This initiative here today is part of the Department of Health's (DoH)
vision 2014 health plan which includes revitalisation of all health facilities,
especially primary health care facilities and the provincial health system. We
know that the quality of health care firstly depends on primary health care
services being available, accessible and affordable. Secondly, it depends on
the quality of the interactions between health staff and patients or
communities that receive health services.
This event this afternoon marks the commencement of the construction of a
new clinic for the community of Boitshoko, here in Postmansburg. The
government, under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) has
made a commitment to provide essential government services to our people,
especially where services were lacking, non-existing or not accessible.
Throughout the years there has been a shift form focusing on secondary
health care to putting the focus on primary health care. This is essence means
that going to hospitals for minor illnesses like coughs or flu is no longer the
standard and only potion. Clinics are now able to provide essential services to
communities. This does not mean that the quality of services and standards are
being neglected. In fact, clinics are being staffed with professional nurses
and are being visited by doctors and specialists which form the centre of the
services provided.
In governments strive to provide essential services close to the people,
different aspects has to be considered. Erecting new clinics is a big step in
the process, but the main aspect is equipping new clinics with the right
equipment as well as making them accessible for the old aged and the
handicapped.
The construction of this new clinic will not only be the responsibility of
the Department of Health. Strategic partners are part and parcel of the
process. The Tsantsabane Local Municipality has provided the land to erect the
clinic on. Tsantsabane Municipality in collaboration with the Department of
Housing and Local Government will develop the infrastructure in terms of
electricity, sewerage, water and communications. The advantages for the
community of Boitshoko with the building of the new clinic will be economic in
nature in the sense that the construction of this new clinic will provide
necessary employment opportunities.
We welcome the building of the new clinic and we are confident that the
community of Boitshoko will benefit from the health care services that will be
provided. The new clinic will belong to all in Boitshoko. It is your
responsibility as community members to take care of it and protect it from
vandalism.
We now officially start the building process of the new Boitshoko clinic and
I hope the community will preserve the facility with dignity and respect for
now and future generations.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
24 March 2009
