MEC Mashego unveils ‘Rural health Matters Campaign’ in Jane Furse
Jane Furse
MEC for Health in Limpopo, Dieketseng Mashego, has recently launched the Rural Health Matters Campaign at the Jane Furse Hospital in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality.
The Rural Health Matters outreach programme stands to benefit people from disadvantaged communities, started as a significant campaign aiming to improve healthcare access and services for rural communities across the province.
Specialists from various disciplines will be in different hospitals in Sekhukhune to assist with addressing the surgical backlogs throughout the programme that is expected to last for a month. The specialists will spend the time clearing surgical and medical backlogs, transferring skills and expose health professionals to the entire province.
The department said the drive also stands to benefit people from disadvantaged communities, where rural hospitals increase local access and allows patients to focus on getting better rather than getting to appointments.
The specialists includes Ophthalmology and Urology that will be stationed at Jane Furse Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynaecologist that will be done at Dilokong Hospital, General Surgery and Orthopaedics that will be stationed at Matlala Hospital, Paediatric Surgery for Groblersdal Hospital, Radiology and Orthopaedics that will be dispatched at St Rita’s Hospital, ENT and Orthopaedics at Philadelphia and Maxillofacial Surgery will be done at Mecklenburg Hospital.
MEC Mashego was accompanied by Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor, Cllr Minah Bahula, and Mayor of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, Cllr Merah Mahlase, as they pledged their support to this vital initiative that will bring quality healthcare closer to the people who need it most.
Through this launch, MEC Mashego has renewed her commitment, stating that “we want to make a lasting impact on the lives of rural citizens by addressing healthcare challenges and providing sustainable solutions”.
She said this important programme will be tackling critical health challenges and working together to build a healthier Limpopo.
The programme is expected to be unveiled in other parts of Limpopo Province to help reduce transfer of patients from primary to tertiary hospitals in Polokwane and Mankweng respectively.
