Healthcare not restricted by borders
Blaauwbosch benefits from Anti-retroviral Treatment clinic.
The US Consul General handed over the Rosary Anti-retroviral Clinic in Blaauwbosch to the Department of Health (DoH) last week Tuesday.
The South African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), previously known as Catholic Relief, joined hands together with The US President’s Emergency Plans for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) in 2004, to help alleviate the suffering of those HIV and Aids sufferers who did not have access to the life-altering drug.
PEPFAR and the SACBC ended their long-standing relationship, as the responsibility of running the clinic was handed over to the DoH.
Representative from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr Tom Wayne, explained PEPFAR’s involvement in the country.
“We have treated more than 45 000 patients, and invested 50-million Dollars in this cause. Now we are sure that the South African government is capable of handling the clinics, we are beginning to pull out our services.”
He congratulated staff of the clinic and said they should be proud of the achievement of building capable and sustainable treatment centres.
SACBC Manager of the Amajuba districts, Theresa Bossert, was extremely pleased with the progress of the clinic, and extended her gratitude to the DoH in Amajuba district for their extensive assistance.
“Amajuba District rocked!” she exclaimed proudly.
Former Manager of the clinic, Sister Leo said, “through the dedication of PEPFAR and assistance of the community, people were helped in their journey to good health.”
US Consul General (CG), Taylor Ruggles, explained this event was not just a physical handover, but also a celebration of the partnership created between the US and South African governments.
he added that 10 years ago, only hospitals provided anti-retroviral drugs.
“Clinics such as these were not available to the public, however, PEPFAR is confident that the South African government is now capable of treating communities with anti-retroviral treatment (ART).”
“We aren’t finished with our efforts in the country – we are realigning with the new policies of the government. We will be concentrating on prevention programmes, and assisting with the Sukhuma Sakhe projects of the government, by training 2 000 caregivers,” said Mr CG Brussels.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, extended his thanks to PEPFAR and SACBC for their help in assisting the government with its treatment of the people of the country.
He said the partnership between the DoH and PEPFAR resulted in many achievements in fighting the battle for good health in the province.
“We thank PEPFAR for helping us achieve so many of our goals, and assisting in helping us create our good story,” said Dr Dhlomo.
He thanked PEPFAR and SACBC in creating the clinic, which would serve the communities of Blaauwbosch and oSizweni by reducing the burden of disease as well as giving the community healthcare closer to home.
