Healthcare professionals to serve rural communities
A group of 201 professionals will be distributed throughout KZN.
UMKHANYAKUDE hospitals will benefit from KZN’s community service programme as newly qualified dentists, physio-, occupational and speech therapists are appointed to various health institutions across the district.
A group of 201 professionals will be distributed throughout the province, after recently being coached on how to conduct themselves when dealing with the people of KZN.
The young therapists and dentists will spend 60% of their time doing community work while the remaining 40% will see them working in hospitals.
‘This is in line with the United Nations Conversion on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) article 26 where it states the provision of rehabilitation should be offered as close as possible to where people live,’ said KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
The distribution of this year’s community service practitioners favours rural hospitals, as can be seen in uMkhanyakude District’s allotted practitioners. Bethesda, Hlabisa, Manguzi, Mosvold and Mseleni hospitals will each receive two physiotherapists, two occupational therapists and one audiologist.
Of the 30 dentists on the programme, Manguzi, Hlabisa and Mseleni hospitals will each receive one. The remaining dentists will be spread among rural hospitals in other districts including Zululand and Harry Gwala.
‘With this allocation we are trying to ensure that our patients who visit healthcare institutions, including those that are in rural areas, get a full package of services in their own areas. We have also ensured comfort for the therapists and dentists by giving them state accommodation and rural allowance as we eventually wish to retain them on completion of their community service,’ said Dhlomo.
Community service for doctors and dentists was introduced in 2000 and extended to therapists in 2003. Dhlomo said it has resulted in much needed rehabilitation and oral health services closer to rural people’s homes.
