The appointment of the district health councils is in accordance with the National Health Act 61 of 2003 which stipulates the establishment of district health councils. The Western Cape's District Health Councils Act 2010 came into effect on 24 August 2011. All six councils were established at the end of last year.
The district health councils will feed their inputs to the provincial health council, which will be composed of the chairpersons of the six district health councils, and chaired by the provincial minister.
A district health council consists of:
The first priority for these councils will be the draft of a district health plan, according to the specific needs of their communities.
Minister Botha says citizens will now be able to take up health matters through their district health councils: "These members will address health issues through the appropriate structures on your behalf. This is why we are introducing these members to communities, so that they know who they can approach on issues relating to health service delivery in their area."
"By the same token these members will also be responsible for the distribution of appropriate and comprehensive information on health services in their region. If people really use these district health councils to address their health service needs, we can deliver a better service together."
Helene Rossouw
Spokesperson
Cell: 082 771 8834
Tel: 021 483 4426
E-mail: helene.rossouw@pgwc.gov.za