Health
President Ramaphosa Inaugurates Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital
On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital in Kwa-Mashu, KwaZulu-Natal. SANews reports that the establishment of this hospital reflects the government’s commitment to advancing the call of the Freedom Charter, which advocates for free medical care for all and prioritises the health of women and children. Catering to approximately 1.5 million residents of Kwa-Mashu, Inanda, Ntuzuma, and surrounding communities in northern Durban, the hospital aims to alleviate pressure on the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Addington Hospital. President Ramaphosa emphasised the growing reliance of South Africans on the public sector for healthcare, citing data from Census 2022.
The President noted that Statistics South Africa’s recent report highlighted the increasing healthcare burden of non-communicable diseases. With a focus on addressing this challenge at the primary healthcare level, the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital plays a crucial role. President Ramaphosa praised the hospital’s active direct healthcare outreach program, bringing essential services closer to the people. The hospital was commissioned in phases since August 2021. It offers various services, including:
- critical care,
- dental,
- physiotherapy,
- occupational therapy,
- psychological services,
- dietetics,
- audiology, and
- social work.
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In addition to its services, the hospital integrates academic and research components, serving as a centre for postgraduate medical training and providing rotations for final-year medical students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It adopts an insourced security, cleaning, laundry, and food services model. The President highlighted the successful filling of 1,383 out of 1,513 approved posts as of September 2023, contributing to job creation and small business development.
President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the hospital would enhance the health outcomes of the communities. The government is committed to ensuring healthcare rights for all, emphasising the hospital’s role in upholding the right to life, quality healthcare, and equality. The President recognised the hospital as a testament to the country’s achievements in providing quality, accessible healthcare services, with the ongoing introduction of National Health Insurance as a source of pride and progress. As South Africa approaches 30 years of democracy, President Ramaphosa called for reflection on the nation’s journey in realising the aspirations of the Freedom Charter, the Constitution, and the National Development Plan.
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Picture: X / HealthZA
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