TAC activists demand answers on state of Lim healthcare
Activists of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) marched on the Department of Health to hand over a memorandum outlining their concerns about the current state of healthcare in Limpopo.
POLOKWANE – They embarked on the march on Thursday, 2 November and handed the memorandum to Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba from whom they demanded an immediate answer to some of their concerns.
The memorandum can be viewed here.
https://www.facebook.com/LimpopoDepartmentOfHealthBophelong/videos/1198262860274341/
Concerns addressed in the memorandum included a lack of trained medical professionals and medical professionals left unemployed, overcrowding of hospitals and clinics, inferior filing systems causing delays in treatment, and a lack of medication.
Ramathuba responded to the memorandum and told the protestors the department values the health of everyone in the province.
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“It is ultimately the department’s goal that the life expectancy of Limpopo residents exceeds 70 years. I want to remind you, however, the fight against HIV remains a challenge and continuous fight in Limpopo and South Africa as a whole. As the ANC we took the resolution that health is a priority and therefore we must adhere to that and ensure service delivery standards are met as well as to make sure everyone receives adequate and proper healthcare services. Health is vital for life and as such must be a first priority for all, in the government and private sector. At yesterday’s (Wednesday) budget lekgotla I presented a turnaround strategy to several stakeholders in which I addressed the shortage of staff and medication as well as other healthcare services.
“When the proposed strategy is finalised and approved by Treasury the department will share this information with you. We hope this strategy will bring change in the health sector,” she said.
Today we are receiving a Memorandum from TAC Limpopo pic.twitter.com/WEEej4hNt2
— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) November 2, 2017
In conclusion Ramathuba thanked the TAC activists and said they play a vital role through assisting the Department of Health to educate the residents of Limpopo about health and illness.
Ramathuba concluded by saying that the TAC are assisting the department of health to continue to educate the people of Limpopo about health and sickness that they face on a daily basis at the clinics and hospitals and also help the department to carry out their responsibilities and promises.
