Northern Cape Department of Health absorbs health professionals

8 June 2010

The MEC of Health in the Northern Cape, Mr Mxolisi S Sokatsha mentioned in his budget vote 2010 that our human resources are our most important asset in the delivery of health services.

Furthermore, the main aim of the Northern Cape Department of Health during 2010/11 regarding the strengthening of our human resources is to reduce our present 39 percent vacancy rate with a further 25 percent.

Health professionals form the backbone of our mandate to deliver quality health services to our people. The agency health professional staff has been part of the Namakwa district since 1985.

The concept was at that stage good, but staff that is not part of the establishment are not as motivated or focused as staff that are part of the Department of Health.

Namakwa district has always faced the challenge to appoint trained health professionals who are interested to work in the very far, remote and rural areas of Namaqualand.

Therefore throughout the years, the department made use of health professionals from agencies. This in addition was very expensive for the department.

We are therefore very pleased to announce that the MEC has taken the decision to absorb all health professionals currently employed in Namaqualand through agencies, into the Northern Cape Department of Health.

Some of these health professionals have been employed for up to seven years by the department through an agency.

In the Namakwa district, we also absorb professional nurses who have retired on a contract basis to assist in the managing of patients at clinic level.

The following number of nursing staff is hereby absorbed by the department:

* Professional nurses: 10 permanent, six contracts
* Staff nurses: nine
* Nursing assistants: 33

As the Northern Cape Department of Health, we will continue to realise our vision of "health service excellence for all" and focus on the "Batho Pele" principles, the Patients Charter and the 10 point plan for the health sector as our guiding lights in fulfilling our mandate to deliver quality healthcare services to our people.

Enquiries:

Andrid F Scholtz
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 082 447 9696
Fax: 053 833 1925
E-mail: ascholtz@ncpg.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
8 June 2010
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.northern-cape.gov.za/)