31 October 2004
The Minister of Health and Health MEC (Minmec) from the nine provinces visited hospitals and clinics in Northern Cape on Thursday, October 28. This was followed by a one-day meeting held in Kimberly (October 29), to discuss the way forward and other health issues.
The visit to Northern Cape was in line with Minmec decision to visit all provinces to gather first hand information on the functioning of the health system in provinces. This enables Minmec to take common approach to challenges facing the health sector and share information on the best practices and areas of progress.
Accompanied by senior officials from national and provincial Health Departments, Minmec covered Calvania and Gordonia (Upington) Hospitals, Kimberly Hospital and its surrounding clinics as well as Premier Manne Dipico (Colesburg) hospital, Hanover Roadside Clinic and other clinics in Karoo district.
Minmec noted that much progress has been done in improving hospital management system leading to improved staff moral and better health service delivery in the province. Despite many difficulties, the hospitals are improving their ability to attract and retain staff.
Kimberly Hospital in particular, increased its medical staff complement from 41 medical officers plus two specialists in 1999 to the current staffing levels about 200 medical officers and 24 specialists. While serving as main referral hospital for the province, the 806-bed hospital is also attracting more private and medical aid patients raising a revenue of R18 million last year. The resources are being ploughed back into improved service delivery in the hospital and better working conditions for staff.
The Hospital Revitalisation programme is improving infrastructure, equipment and management capacity in all the hospitals that have been covered by the programme. However, facilities in remote areas of the province are still faced with challenges in recruiting and retaining staff.
Northern Cape is the largest province in the country (about 30% of South Africa's geographical area) with a low population of 820 000 spread across the province making it difficult for remote communities to access health services. Referral networks are stretched over hundreds of kilometers therefore putting strain on patient transportation system.
Burden of diseases is centred mainly around health risk related to unhealthy lifestyles. Alcohol abuse is a major factor in high cases of trauma and poor treatment compliance. Facilities deal with many cases of road traffic accidents, suicide, injuries, foetal alcohol syndrome and child abuse. Lack of treatment compliance is the major factor behind the increase in cases of TB including its multi-drug resistant strain. Minmec agreed to support Northern Cape and strengthen communication and health promotion campaign around TB across the country.
Minmec resolved that the implementation of health education and health promotion programmes should be intensified to tackle these health challenges facing the province. The team agreed that community outreach programme need to be strengthened to prevent alcohol related health problems and encourage healthy lifestyle amongst communities.
On general health issues, Minmec emphasize the need for all provinces to prepare for health challenges associated with summer season including cholera, malaria, circumcisions as well as road traffic and other injuries.
Minmec discussed the comment made by the Auditor-General on the expenditure of conditional grants for 2003/2004 financial year. Minmec agreed that the matter is going to be a standing item of the agenda of Minmec and regular meetings of heads of health departments and chief financial officers to ensure regular monitoring of expenditure patterns.
The Minmec resolved that there should be very strict compliance with Division of Revenue Act. The National Department will conduct regular site visit to monitor expenditure. If the national Department finds that provinces are not compliant, it will withhold transfer of funds to provinces that fail to spend at an appropriate rate.
Issued by Ministry of Health
Contact Sibani Mngadi 0827720161