NORTHERN CAPE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TOWARDS ADDRESSING SURGICAL BACKLOGS IN THE PROVINCE, BEFORE THE FESTIVE SEASON.

As part of our commitment to deal more systematically with the backlog of surgeries in the Province, the Provincial Health Department is pleased to note that the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital performed 72 surgeries in conjunction with Gift of the Givers, this past weekend.The efforts are commendable and we are further pleased to note that the hospital has committed to operationalise two (2) additional theatres to deal with the backlog of surgical cases in the following disciplines; - General surgery, ENT, Gynaecology, neurosurgery, maxillofacial, plastic surgery, urology and orthopaedic surgeries.

This move is a direct response to the commitment made by the Department during this year’s Budget Speech to alleviate the pressure on referral hospitals such as the Dr. Harry Surtie Regional hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Tertiary hospital.The Department further highlighted the number of hospitals that have been identified as a priority for this financial year. These includes, - Manne Dipico Hospital, the De Aar District Hospital, Postmasburg Hospital and Tshwaragano Hospital.At the same time, the Department is also working to ensure the availability of specialists services in the districts and strengthening outreach services.

For us as a Department, the need to forge inter-sectoral partnerships cannot be overemphasized in dealing with health challenges. This can be attested by the continuous support provided by the mining sectors and other key stakeholders, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.With regards to negative narrative and disinformation purported by the Economic Freedom Fighters in their statement, we are not going to entertain peddling of lies at this stage. We simply note their attack as baseless, misleading and malicious. Our entire focus is to provide and continuously strengthen the delivery of health care services to communities.

On the other matter relating to oversight visits conducted by EFF to public health facilities, the Department resolved to report this matter to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health at the Provincial Legislature, for guidance and further processing. We will further advise our officials on further steps to be taken, in this regard.We can confidently report that significant strides have been made towards modernising our public health system and delivering quality care to 87% of the uninsured population of the Northern Cape who depend exclusively on public health care.

We remain focused in our commitment to serve our people with pride and advocate for our partners not to be deterred from playing their social role which seeks to benefit anyone requiring health care.We thank our hardworking team of health care personnel, who enabled us to stand against the test of time and gravitate towards the vision of the 6th provincial administration of “A Modern Growing and Successful Province”. We remain committed towards achieving “A Modern Health System Delivering Quality Care to a Growing Province”

For enquiries, contact:

Mr Lebogang Majaha

Media Liaison Officer

Office of the MEC for Health

Northern Cape Province

0718836404