Speech by Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Hazel Jenkins on the occasion of the official launch of the Refurbished Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Kimberley Hospital Complex in Kimberley, Frances Baard District – Northern Cape, 12 January 2010

I want to take this opportunity to wishing all a prosperous, fruitful and joyous 2010. Furthermore, as a country and a province, we are going to be part of the most prestigious sport event in the world this year namely the FIFA Soccer World Cup. As the Northern Cape Provincial Government we want to encourage all to be part of this spectacular event and support the “Football Friday” campaign by wearing your Bafana Bafana soccer shirts on Fridays until the actual day of the world cup.

We are gathered here today to be part of a joyous occasion and celebrate another milestone in the improvement of health service delivery to our people. Guided by the “Batho pele- People first” principles and the vision of the Department of Health, we have realized and contributed to our vision of health service excellence for all.
I also wish to take this opportunity to applaud the collaborative and laudable efforts by Carte Blanche' and BHP Biliton to make constructive contribution towards improving our health system as well as to highlight and make a lasting difference in the lives of our people.

Ladies and gentlemen, Chapter two of the Constitution containing the Bill of Rights clearly states that:
“Everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment”. As the Northern Cape Provincial government we are committed towards achieving and realizing this right and ensure that all in the province are experiencing this.

In addition, the issues raised by communities in the build-up to the April 2009 elections provided the basis for Health being prioritised as part of the five priority areas to which the ANC led government has committed to deliver on in the next five years. Through the Department of Health, we will utilize resources to deliver on the health mandate in terms of quality management systems, revitalization and maintenance of our infrastructure and building new facilities.

The new government’s 10 point plan for the health sector will be the guiding light for the Department of Health in improving health service delivery to our people namely the provision of strategic leadership, implementation of the national health insurance plan, improving the quality of health services, improving human resource management, overhauling of the healthcare system and it’s management, revitalization of health infrastructure, mass mobilization for better health for all, reviewing the drug policy, research and development, the accelerated implementation of the HIV and AIDS plan the reduction of mortality due to TB and associated diseases.

Revitalization of health infrastructure as part of the ten (10) point plan is the focus of today. It is important for government to keep the balance between erecting new health infrastructure and maintaining already existing facilities and infrastructure. The Kimberley Hospital Complex forms the foundation of health service delivery in Kimberley and the province.

The Kimberley Hospital Complex is the only hospital in the Northern Cape with a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The refurbishment of this unit, as part of the television programme “Carte Blanche” charity campaign – “Making a Difference”, and financed by BHP Billiton, is seen a positive step in improving health service delivery and is aligned towards governments revitalization of health infrastructure programme.

We are all gathered here today for the same purpose which is to lay the foundation for government and private sector to continue on a journey with the main goal of improving health service delivery in our province and our country. Healthcare facilities are responsible for rendering basic and specialized health services to communities, but due to limited financial resources, personnel and capacity, they are struggling to meet its constitutional mandate. However, the successful implementation of health care programs and infrastructure depends on effective partnerships with the private sector and government in improving the delivery of quality health care. Today marks the success of such partnerships.

Public Private Partnership is an alternative service delivery vehicle with the strategic objective being to increase the role of the private sector in service delivery across all spheres of government. Government’s policy on private sector investment and participation in service delivery is to encourage private sector investment and participation to contribute to service delivery deficits and disparities and to address the daunting challenges faced in delivering of essential services.

We want to thank Carte Blanche and BHP Billiton for answering the call of Public-Private Partnership. Furthermore, thank you for taking hands with government and contributing positively towards the improvement of healthcare services to our people with the refurbishing of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Kimberley Hospital Complex. Your partnership and commitment is greatly appreciated and we hope as government we can continue to rely on this positive and successful partnership into the future.
I hope this initiative will lay the foundation for future positive engagements between government and the private sector to really address the healthcare needs, problems and challenges facing our province and our country.

Ladies and gentlemen, as the Provincial Government and the Department of Health, we will continue to utilize all resources available and build on engaging the private sector to contribute to improve service delivery to all and create a better life for all. The Constitution and the Patients Charter will be our guiding lights to delivery on our mandate and ensure quality health service excellence to all.

Programme Director, I want to conclude by saying that government and the private sector’s role and contribution to respond to healthcare service delivery challenges, should be the motivation to make a difference and change the lives of the people of Northern Cape for the better.

Working together, we can do more!

Thank you!

Dankie!

Kealeboga!