Date: 21/02/2006
Source: Department of Health
Title:Tshabalala-Msimang: Opening of Thembumusa Clinic


  Address by the Minister of Health at the official opening of Thembumusa Clinic in the Abaqulusi District in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal

Programme Director,
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health,
Amakhosi,
Councillors,
Clinic and provincial staff,
Members of the community,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The Department of Health's goal is to provide quality healthcare and by so doing engaging relevant stakeholders, and emphasise community participation at all levels of care.

Engagement of all stakeholders inclusive of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) will ensure integration into the health system and the implementation of strategies in a well co-ordinated and comprehensive manner.

It is also important to note that the provision of accessible, affordable and equitable comprehensive primary healthcare services to communities is essential, as it is important that all communities have access to services.

Today, we improve access to our health services by opening Thembumusa Clinic to address issues like those.

Community participation is critical to ensure ownership of this clinic; the establishment of a clinic committee will ensure that community needs reach the appropriate platform. It is then necessary to emphasise feedback to the community.

We therefore need to:
* Get citizens to participate in the activities that seek to develop and shape their communities to become more community centred;
* Pilot approaches to promote better coordination between the budgets of the three spheres of government;
* Address the gross disparities in the levels of social and human development;
* Develop systems and structures to improve and promote equitable access to basic services;
* Identify clear co-ordination and leadership structures at both political and technical levels;
* Addressing challenges emanating from assessment of the prevailing circumstances, where communities live and work;
* Provide support and make resources available within the context of Integrated Development Plans; and
* Initiate innovative and sustainable ways to combat the high levels of unemployment.

You can recall that Thembumusa Clinic is new, following recommendations made in 2002, where the old clinic was not big enough to cater for high number of patients seen at this clinic - more than 600 patients a day.

The committee and the provincial Department of Health saw it fit to build a new facility rendering 24-hour services. Patients will be referred to Vryheid District Hospital from here. There is also collaboration with other departments like the Police and Social Development that will enable extended care.

Currently, the main challenge is tuberculosis (TB) as approximately 40 newly diagnosed TB patients were seen in the past two months. Other conditions include scabies and ringworms. TB is a national health priority, has been declared a crisis and needs a co-ordinated effort of all stakeholders, including communities, for interventions to have a significant impact.

As Minister of Health, I am proud to announce that the following services will be rendered at this clinic:
* Health promotion and health education
* TB and sexually transmitted infections
* Treatment of primary ailments and chronic care;
* Antenatal care
* Reproductive health services (Family planning)
* HIV and AIDS counselling, with VCT and PMTCT * Emergency care and
* Child healthcare
* And all the other basic primary healthcare services

Government is committed to provide primary healthcare free at this point of delivery: * Everyone is able to use the public primary healthcare (PHC) system irrespective of whether they are able to pay or not
* All care is free, if they come through the PHC clinics
* For pregnant and lactating women;
* Children under the age of six years; and * Those with disabilities

In addition, the PHC infrastructure has been expanded significantly - since 1994 more than 1300 new clinics were built or had major upgrading.

The mission of public health is to ensure that people are healthy through the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion and protection of health. It is government's function to see to it that the vital elements are in place and that the mission is adequately addressed.

This Thembumusa Clinic is important, and the services that the staff provides are very important, but community members must also play their part. Keeping healthy is the responsibility of each one of us. Make certain that this clinic continues to keep you healthy.

The Move for Health Campaign, Vuka South Africa, is about encouraging each other to take regular exercise. Each one of us should walk for at least 30 minutes, at least five times a week. We should walk, and sing and dance, and keep our bodies healthy.

We must eat healthy foods. Good nutrition is essential for good health. Obesity is a major problem because it is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

So we must all healthy food, eat more vegetables and use less sugar in our diets! We must take exercise, walking is very important. It is also important to avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs. This will ensure that the community of eMondlo is healthy and fit to contribute to the building of our country.

To the community of eMondlo, I want to say: This is your clinic. Cherish it. Protect it and look after it as it belongs to you. Use it to promote your health status within the community.

Siyabonga.

Issued by: Department of Health
21 February 2006