Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF ALBERTINA SISULU CLINIC 1997-10-23
The Gauteng MEC for Health Mr Amos Msondo officially opened the Albertina Sisulu Clinic today in Zone 11, Sebokeng, in the Vaal.
The Albertina Sisulu Clinic, is the seventh clinic to be built in the Vaal Region under the auspices of the RDP clinic building and upgrading program. It has cost R800 000 (eight-hundred thousand). A further five (5) clinics are still to be built in this region.
In his speech, Mr Amos Masondo confirmed that fourteen (14) clinics were completed in 1996/97 financial year. A furter four (4) clinics of the thirteen (13) planned for 1997/98 financial year have been completed. These clinics have all been built in previously under-served and disadvantaged areas of Gauteng. In this process 1 225 jobs, mostly semi-skilled and unskilled have been created province wide.
He further mentioned that upgrading and repair of local authority clinics or facilities is being undertaken to ensure the extension of services to meet community needs.
The MEC revealed that more than 34 nurses employed by the Province have been seconded to Local Authority clinics. The Department continues to supply pre-packed medication in line with the Essential Drug List policy.
He also stated that R112 million has been transferred to every municipality this financial year, to ensure that health issues such as Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, Maternal and Child Health, Rehabilitation, Mental Health, School and Youth health Services, etc. are addressed.
Since the start of our clinic and upgrading programme in 1995, ten (10) maternal and obstetric units (MOU's) have been built and opened in disadvantaged areas of the province.
He said "the redistribution of resources with a bias towards under-served areas with a clear focus on the Vaal can be clearly seen in the following figures:
"An additional, R75 million was allocated by this Government to the Primary Health Care Program in the 1997/98 budget.
"Between 1995 and 1997, we spent R2.9 million in the Central Wits Region, R1 million in the Pretoria Region, R4.4 million in the East Rand Region, and in that same time period we invested R5.6 million in the VaalRegin.
"In the current financial year (1997/98), our expenditure for the Vaal Region will be R2.4 million."
Speaking about the Clinic Upgrading and Building Program, the MEC said that critical in this work has bee the lement of community participation, which has become part of our culture in clinic building committees and clinic committees.
He said the building and upgrading of clinics with the provision of free health care has benefited well over 2,5 million people this year. It has enabled us to deliver services to well-over 305 000 pregnant women. Clinic attendance has increased by 112% on average for the same period last year.
Hours for rendering services have been extended until 19h00 in the evening and facilities are open on Saturday in Etwatwa in Benoni, Westonaria and Randfontein. In Empilisweni in the Vaal, on the first Saturday of the month, 400 patients received health care.
"The success of these programs did, however, come at a price", the MEC said. "There was the question of long queues and staff providing below average service as a result of the increased workload. These matters are being addressed in an ongoing manner.
"The shortage of PHC skilled nurses is being addressed by ongoing training to build the much-needed capacity!
"The lack of a culture of caring demonstrated by the bad attitude and conduct of a few isolated doctors, nurses and other categories of health workers discredits the disciplined and dedicated service provided by the overwhelming majority".
The MEC concluded his speech by calling upon the local communities to ensure that:
For further information Pleae contact Popo Maja On 082-373-1169 or (011) 355-3543