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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO'S - Western Cape Minister of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo paid a visit to Pacaltsdorp, George, this morning.
This forms part of a three-day outreach to communities in the Southern Cape.
According to her spokesperson, Nomawethu Sbukwana, the delegation met with Mossel Bay communities yesterday, and the communities of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are on the itinerary for tomorrow, 8 July.
"Although we meet at Pacaltsdorp Community Hall today, we are here for Everybody - the whole of George," said Mbombo.
In her address Mbombo used a poster of a traditional black pot, standing on three legs: community, political and government - to illustrate the workings of the health system. She reminded the audience of the importance of using emergency aids only for emergencies.
The workings of the health system, symbolised as a tradisional black pot, stabilised by the community, politicians and the government. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
"You get some people who use an ambulance to seek help for a backache. If there is a lack of public transport in your area you can't justify such behaviour with other injustices," she said. She also talked about the role of local government in the health service. "A councillor is assigned to handle health-related questions for the district through their mayor, to my department. Clinic committees also fascilitate such matters, with an assigned councillor in the committee."
WC Minister of Health Nomafrench Mbombo at Pacaltsdorp Community Hall. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
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Medical manager of the George sub-district Dr Zilla North led the event with an introductary speech about the priorities of primary health care and the positive result achieved with fewer intakes at the hospitals due to Covid-19 vaccinations. One of the highlights listed during her address includes the "Mirena roll-out" which enables many women to receive this popular birth control device cost-free. North listed quite a few improvements that will take place at a number of clinics, including the improvement of ventilation at the Harry Comay Hospital.
A mental health display with information stalls at the Pacaltsdorp Community Centre is open for public perusal until day-end today. This is in line with the celebration of July as mental health month.
Sr Eliza Adams of Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu Clinics urged people to seek help with mental issues. "Fight the stigma, talk about it," she said.
Subdistrict manager of the the Garden Route Cedric Yamtolo was one of the speakers of the day. Yamtolo explained the reality of government transport and the impact long journeys have on the elderly.
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