MEC Mashego champions Rural Health Matters Campaign in Sekhukhune District
JANE FURSE/LEEUWFONTEIN
Limpopo MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, embarked on a significant visit to Jane Furse Hospital and Leeuwfontein Clinic on Tuesday 16 September 2025.
The visit aimed to monitor and support the Rural Health Matters outreach team and promote the Batho Pele principles, as part of the department’s broader initiative to improve healthcare services in rural areas.
The Rural Health Matters Campaign is a vital programme designed by the department to address healthcare challenges in rural communities. The initiative aims to improve healthcare services in rural areas by deploying medical specialists to conduct surgeries and provide consultations.
The primary goal of the initiative is to clear surgical backlogs in rural hospitals and enhance local accessibility to healthcare services, allowing patients to recover in their communities.
During her visits to the two health institutions, Mashego interacted with healthcare workers, patients, and facility managers to assess the needs of the communities and identify areas for improvement.
At Jane Furse Hospital, MEC Mashego was accompanied by Sekhukhune Health Department authorities and conducted a walk-about in the facility.
The entourage visited wards and theatre to support the Rural Health Matters team. The hospital has benefited from the Rural Health Matters programme, which has brought specialists from various disciplines to provide critical healthcare services to rural communities.
The programme’s impact extends beyond healthcare, fostering community development and empowerment.
MEC Mashego’s visit to Leeuwfontein Clinic was an unannounced one, aimed at monitoring service delivery and providing support to the facility.
This approach demonstrates her commitment to community-centric governance and her focus on ensuring that healthcare services meet the needs of local communities.
Despite progress made, Limpopo’s healthcare system still faces significant challenges, including staff shortages, infrastructure backlogs, and inadequate resources.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has recently called on MEC Mashego to prioritize addressing these challenges and ensuring that healthcare services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
