Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said it is without a doubt that, healthcare is everybody’s business. Sambatha said this during the tabling of departmental budget allocation for the 2023/24 financial year today at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in Mahikeng today.
“That is why our department acknowledges the partnerships it has with the private sector and the broader health stakeholders in the provision of health services across the province. We continue to enjoy a solid partnership with the Rustenburg Health Forum, which consists of a collective membership of the department in the Bojanala District and the mining houses of the entire district.
“This partnership has made significant strides in the past towards the injection of resources in improving access to health services in the mining and peri-mining areas. We need to focus more on establishing such working relationships with cement manufacturers dominantly based in Ngaka Modiri Molema,” he said.
Sambatha said the allocated budget for this financial year is R15 219 592. He further said the budget is spread amongst the eight programs and economic classifications of the department.
“Administration is budgeted for R1 024 488, the District Health Services received R7 555 308, Emergency Medical Services received R465 965, the Provincial Hospital Services is budgeted for R2 183 729, Central Hospital Services will receive R2 241 007, while Health Science and Training is budgeted for R285 856. Health Care Support Services received R771 576 and Health Facilities Maintenance is budgeted for R691 663.
“In the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, we have a solid working relationship with Harmony Gold and this is evident in the deliberation between Harmony Gold and the department on the future of Westvaal Hospital. This engagement must be extended to other mining houses. The contribution of Sibanye Mine, who has approved a budget to purchase emergency vehicles by the end of April 2023, is a big plus in our efforts to improve ambulance response time,” said Sambatha.
He added that, they remain indebted to the valuable contribution, leadership, oversight, and guidance from the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) led by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape, the Provincial Treasury, Auditor-General and Portfolio Committee. Sambatha said he also recognises the role of different labour unions in all facilities.
“We urge them to continue to be a partner in addressing all issues that affect our employees, who are their members. We should also value the principles enshrined in the constitution on the “Right to strike” governed through the bargaining process as not opposed to the “Right to access Health care.”
“At the facility level, the role of our governance structures remains valuable as representatives of our communities in health care delivery. A word of appreciation also goes to the management structure of the department led by the SG,” he said.
The Guardian 