28 February 2010
The purpose of our visit to KwaZulu-Natal is to inspect all health and medical facilities earmarked for 2010 FIFA World Cup, and assess their readiness to deliver on our commitments in the following areas:
Our assessment visit today is also in preparation for the eminent FIFA delegation visit to the province on Wednesday; to inspect all World Cup designated facilities and services, as part of the activities to mark the 100 Day Countdown before the soccer tournament.
It is our responsibility as Health to ensure that our visitors during the World Cup find our health services adequate and responsive to their needs, which also involves providing 24-hour emergency medical services for mass casualty situations; at the ports of entry and major travel routes.
Accompanied by Sergeant General Dr VJ Ramlakan, MEC of health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, LOC medical head Dr Victor Ramathesele, representatives from national and provincial 2010 coordinating teams, as well as hospital CEOs and Emergency Medical Services and Stadium managers, we inspected four facilities.
The programme which started at 09h00 and ended at 16h00 with an inspection of medical centres at Moses Mabhida Stadium this afternoon, included presentations by Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Addington Hospital, and Wentworth Emergency Medical Services Centre.
The overall progress made by the province in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is satisfactory, particularly the emergency medical services (EMS) which was allocated of sum of R132 678 000 for the procurement of 120 ambulances and upgrading and construction of communication control centres.
However, we identified minor delays here and there. We would need to formulate time bound interventions to address whatever gaps that may still exist in all provinces by 31st April 2010.
There are few other things that we need to address urgently. We are very concerned about the slow pace of the integration of municipal and provincial health services. We know that municipal clinics close at 17h00 and do not open during weekends. That cannot work for the World Cup and for our people in general.
We are also concerned about the issue of physical and sexual violence as a result of alcohol abuse during mass gatherings. This would necessitate the expansion of our forensic services to include the availability of post-exposure counseling and prophylaxis for survivors of sexual abuse.
In terms of additional support, the province reported that they are engaged with the University of KwaZulu-Natal family medicine to run emergency medicine update courses for the staff identified for the World Cup. The commitment from Medical School to suspended academic programs and support designated hospitals with staff is welcomed.
I have appointed a Special Task Team to attend to and resolve challenges being experienced by all host cities together with affected provinces and elevate matters to the responsibility of the MECs whenever necessary for speedy resolution.
In order for us to ensure the provision of quality health and medical services during the tournament and ensure easy movement of resources between provinces and within host cities during the tournament, I have proposed the following to the MECs:
Dr Molefi Sefularo
Deputy Minister of Health