11 April 2008
Programme Director
MECs for Health
Honoured delegates
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am sure we will agree that we have had a very productive meeting. We have learnt from the presentations from guests from Tanzania, Ghana and Brazil. And I hope that our guests have also learnt from us and enjoyed the discussion over the past two days.
After listening to the feedback from the groups this morning, it is apparent that the discussions in the commissions have been useful and that you have really unpacked the sub-themes that were allocated to you. I believe that the outcomes of the meeting have met objectives.
We did not only review the progress that has been made in the implementation of the Alma Ata Declaration since 1994, but we have also revisioned and come up with clear proposals to revitalize PHC.
We continue to affirm that PHC is the fundamental approach that must be used to strengthen our health care system. This approach has become even more important now 30 years later in the face of the growing disease burden and the challenges of poverty, underdevelopment and inequities that still affect our society. This was the approach advocated in the ANC Health Plan, which formed the basis for this government`s policies.
It becomes important that we re-channel our energies into strengthening PHC. This conference should not become just another discussion forum. But its outcomes must be used to harness our energy to continue to enhance the implementation of the PHC approach.
We had long discussions and I do not want to go into another long speech. I am glad we have adopted the Declaration which commits all of us to specific actions to ensure a revatilized PHC system for South Africa based on the principles of the Alma Ata Declaration.
I would like to thank the MECs for Health and local government councilors for their participation in these discussions and thank all the delegates for making time to be part of this conference. I also like to thank other government departments, organized labour, business and civil society for their input. Let me express my appreciation to the Director General and other officials of Department of Health for their efforts in making this National Consultative Health Forum a success.
Thanks to all of you. And I wish you all a safe journey home and enjoy your weekend.