Health Minister to send a team to Seychelles as part of ongoing Co-Operation Discussions between South African and Seychelles

Issued by: Ministry of Health

21 June 2005

Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will send a team of health officials to the Seychelles to develop a co-operation on how South Africa and Seychelles can improve the healthcare systems of both countries.

This follows the Health Minister’s visit to Seychelles at the weekend to attend the 12^th National Day Celebrations on behalf of President Thabo Mbeki. Her visit further enhanced the bond between the two countries.

During her discussions with the Seychelles Health Minister the following were areas identified in terms of collaboration and co-operation between the two countries:

• Cooperation on thoracic surgery
• Referral of patients to South Africa
• An attachment programme of nurses/doctors to public health facilities in SA

During this time of economic recession, Seychelles is also looking up to South Africa to assist in programmes aimed at revitalising economic development and tap into the Continent’s collective response to fighting underdevelopment, poverty and diseases.

To a larger extent, South Africa will be expected to assist in championing Seychelles’s course for equitable terms of global trade, market access and debt relief programmes from International Financial Institutions.

The following were also identified as areas of co-operation:

• Intensifying exchange programmes that will include visits
• Consolidation of Bilateral Relations between the two countries

The Department of Health has also entered into successful agreements with Cuba, Algeria, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Iran, Italy, UK to address priority issues such as human resource development, communicable diseases and maternal and child health.

Contact: Charity Bhengu 083 679 7424 or (012) 312 042