COMMUNITY SERVICE:Minister of Health
Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang with the MPP for Health
Zweli Mkhize at the official opening of a health care
centre at Ndwedwe |
The days of
travelling long distances to get to the nearest hospital
to get medical treatment for Ndwedwe residents are over.
This came to an end on Friday when national Minister of
Health Dr Mantombazana Tshabalala-Msimang opened the
R6.4-million Ndwedwe Community Health Centre.
The centre started as a mobile clinic in 1957, with a
doctor coming once a week to attend to patients. But
there was always a need for a bigger health facility.
This became a reality when the European Union stepped in
and donated money to build the centre. The centre now
boasts a family planning service and maternity and
children's wards.
Speaking at the the opening ceremony, Tshabalala-Msimang
said the occasion marked a return for her to the
community she had been very close to in the past few
years.
"Unfortunately at
that time most parts of our province, including this
area, were scenes of violent clashes where many lives
were lost and thousands of people were left devastated.
"It was difficult to imagine during those dark days that
a beautiful community health centre like this could
arise in this area," she said. |
She re-iterated the Government's intention to introduce
community service in the rural areas that would give
young doctors, pharmacists and dentists an opportunity
to gain experience in working with communities that
desperately needed their services.
She said the Government was exploring possibilities to
offer attractive incentives for people working in rural
areas.
Tshabalala-Msimang encouraged the Ndwedwe community and
health workers to work together in order for everyone to
be safe and protected.
"The community must also treasure this facility and
ensure that it is not vandalised." she said.
By
Phumla Sekeleni Daily News, Monday, August 20, 2001 |