We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
close notification
Date
: 11/02/2006
Source: Ministry of Health
Title: Tshabalala-Msimang: Opening of Mfume Clinic
Speech by the Minister of Health, Dr Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang, at the official opening of Mfume Clinic
Programme Director
KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Health, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni
EThekwini Mayor, Mr Obed Mlaba
Councillors and amakhosi present
Public Policy Association of South Africa (PPASA) CEO
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
May I take this opportunity to greet all people of iMfume,
officials and all our visitors today. It is a wonderful privilege
for me to be part of this gathering, standing in front of all these
wonderful people who have come to celebrate with us the official
opening of iMfume Clinic.
I am happy that this day has finally arrived! It may seem like a
small affair to some of you but it is a very symbolic moment for
me, my family and I am sure, for the people of Mfume.
A lot has changed since the days of the Apartheid regime whose
unequal and fragmented health services could not meet the needs of
the entire nation, with most rural parts of the country without
health facilities. Mfume was one of those rural areas neglected by
the past government.
It was because of these disparities, which, existed between our
communities then that my father, Junius Deliwayo Makilili Mali,
donated a piece of his land in order to give way for the building
of the first clinic in Mfume. uBaba uMakilili was a person who
loved to see development in his community. uBaba was also referred
as “Amazemtiti” because he played a very important role
to educate his community.
The clinic was built in 1981. It has been providing essential
primary health care services until today because of the support of
the wonderful staff and caring community.
It is befitting then that 25 years later we celebrate the existence
of this clinic which, has obviously brought hope to many people
around the Thoyane Traditional Authority. This occasion has been
long standing.
This clinic is a wonderful gift, a demonstration of
community-driven efforts to improving the quality of their own
health. Halala! Mfume Halala! Sizwe sakithi nezihlobo zami
engizithandayo ngibonga ukuphatha kwenu kahle umtholampilo
nabahlengikazi baseMfume.
As government, we will continue to work with you to address the
legacy of the past, which had left many people affected by various
kinds of diseases without proper health care services within their
reach.
I have here with me the people you voted into power – the
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni, with her senior
health officials and eThekwini Mayor, Mr Obed Mlaba, also with his
officials. Your councillors and traditional leaders are also
here.
They are here today not only to celebrate with you but also to
assess your needs in order to fulfil that promise of ensuring that
every South African has access to basic services such as safe
water, proper sanitation and health care.
As government, I am proud to say that we have made great strides in
bringing health services closer to our people so that you do not
have to travel many kilometres to the nearest clinics. We will
continue despite all the challenges to redress health inequalities
by ensuring that facilities in rural areas are properly staffed and
have the necessary resources to function effectively.
In his State of the Nation Address on 3 February 2006, the
Honourable President: Mr Thabo Mbeki alluded to the following
statement. I quote: “In the area of health, over 1 300
clinics have benefited from the upgrading programme and more have
received additional equipment and the programme to revitalise
hospitals is proceeding apace”.
“Our future plans in this area include the further expansion
of the health infrastructure, the refurbishment of existing clinics
and hospitals and the re-opening of cursing college to increase the
numbers of these important professionals”. Mfume Clinic has
also benefited from the programme to renovate all dilapidated
clinics to improve the quality of healthcare.
But even as we try to effect change, we are aware that in some
parts of the country the process has been slow and that some of the
clinics are still without municipal water connection, electricity
and municipal sewerage connection and telephones. But we are
working together with other affected Departments to eliminate the
backlogs in these clinics.
I am mentioning this because of a report that has been given to me
about some of the challenges facing the health officials of Mfume
Clinic – that there is a shortage of consulting rooms, the
clinic is not well equipped and there is a shortage of
patients’ toilets. As I had indicated earlier on, my
colleagues are here to hear your challenges and make efforts to
improve your conditions.
I am informed that the Clinic is currently being renovated to cater
for programmes such as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
of HIV and other health services. I am also told that the
Department of Health and the Ugu District Municipality have jointly
established Home-Base-Care programme for the community of iMfume
and trained 50 home-based carers who were provided with the care
kits to render services in the community.
The recent additional developments in this clinic I am told, is the
ward-based HIV and AIDS Programme, which will focus on awareness
creation, care and support for the infected and the affected
including the promotion of healthy lifestyles. This programme will
commence later this month to address multi-factorial causes of
under development. Furthermore, the Department has trained 43
people on Trauma Management jointly with the National Peace
Accord.
We need to strengthen community participation and involvement at
health service delivery level. The aim of community participation
is to increase people’s involvement and contribution at the
local level.
I appeal to you to work with your local clinic and take advantage
of benefits that this facility brings here. It is your duty to make
decision regarding your health, to understand the causes of
illnesses and your personal responsibility to lead a healthy
lifestyles through a healthy diet, regular exercises and by
avoiding risky behaviour such as smoking alcohol abuse and unsafe
sex.
Today, I am emphasising the importance of engaging in regular
physical activity by donating six soccer kits to your local clubs.
This is part of the move for Health Campaign, which we launched on
the 30 May 2005, to promote community-based physical activity. I
challenge all women and elderly people to join me in this endeavour
by establishing community-based health walk clubs.
Right now, as I speak, I have come with my departmental soccer and
netball teams who will be playing friendly matches with your local
club. This is a demonstration of commitment in the promotion of
physical activity among communities.
Map
