Cecilia Makhiwane hospital to be upgraded

Addressing the media briefing in Bhisho on Thursday, she said the department was consulting with other stakeholders to discuss its “Ten Year Service Transformation Plan” to be implemented in 2008.

The plan, she said, was aimed at rationalizing health care services to ensure it was in line with government policies.

Ms Jajula said department intended to recruit 5000 more health professionals in the next three years.

“The department is working towards strengthening primary health care because it is the cornerstone of health services in the province,” she said.

Cecilia Makhiwane is not the only hospital that will be upgraded in the province. Spokesperson for the department, Sizwe Kupelo, said other hospitals to be upgraded are Dora Nginza, Port Elizabeth Provincial and Livingstone hospitals.

Mr Kupelo said Livingstone, Frere and Nelson Mandela Academic hospitals would offer specialized services.

“The department is in the process of conducting wide consultation in an effort to ensure that it clarifies some distortions around the department's move,” said Mr Kupelo.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the leakage of an internal draft document that proposed the rationalisation of health services in the province.

“The leakage has been a mischievous conduct and cannot be tolerated at all,” Mr Kupelo said.

The leaked plan had created discomfort among health workers, politicians and members of the community.

The department emphasized that the Madwaleni and Cecilia Makhiwane hospitals' status would not change.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews