Staff Reporter.
Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla has welcomed a donation of health equipment meant to help strengthen the public health system.
The donation from German Development Bank includes mobile clinics, specialised vaccine fridges and temperature monitoring devices.
It’s said to be worth half-a-billion rand.
Phaahla attended the official handover ceremony at the Sobantu Community Hall in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
The Minister was joined by the German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, leaders from local government and DG Murray Trust.
“The governments of Germany and South Africa have enjoyed a very fruitful relationship across several departments for a while now,” he said.
Phaahla said the 46 mobile clinics have contributed to changing people’s lives and that they have reached 1.9 million individuals with direct interpersonal interactions.
“I will work with the MECs to sustain and maintain these assets when the funding ends in September this year.”
Phaahla said the mobile units operate in four provinces including Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and are operated by professional nurses, communicators and local mobilisers supported by the #KeReady youthful doctors.
“These units are serving as the bedrock of our campaign to get closer to the youth community and highlight the challenges that face youth life,” said the Minister.
“We consider the Ambassador and his team as friends; friends who did not abandon us at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but stayed with us and provided support for specific vulnerable communities in the informal settlements.
“We thank you for the precise, strategic and tailored programmes you brought into our primary healthcare ecosystem,” he said.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.