2006 Year End Message from Western Cape Minister Of Health, Minister Pierre Uys

For me, 2006 has been an intriguing year, indeed an exhilarating year. Many milestones were reached including good progress regarding integration of Personal Primary Health Care Services previously provided by rural local government, into the provincial health system.

The past year also saw renewed focus and dedication in dealing with the various challenges facing the health sector in the province. These included, increasing the uptake of nurses in our training programmes and the re-opening of regional training centres to tackle the nursing shortage. Many of our facilities received new medical equipment, totalling R200m, helping to ensure that they keep pace with developments in this regard.

During the year, Health Western Cape completed several infrastructure projects across the province, most notably the George Hospital, providing our people with modern and well equipped health facilities to see to their health needs.

At the same time, provincial government together with its partners took active steps to increase the number of patients on Anti Retroviral Treatment to 23 000 at 47 sites across the province. On the prevention side, I launched the Accelerated HIV Prevention Strategy. It is expected that by March next year close to 320 000 people would have undergone Voluntary Counselling and Testing in the Western Cape.

Health care in our province remains on a good footing but we continue to face many challenges. Chief amongst these are improving our success rate in dealing with the scourge of Tuberculosis as well as the prevention and treatment of diseases of lifestyle like hypertensia and diabetes.

The year ahead, will no doubt be exciting. In 2007 we will begin to implement the Western Cape's Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP). This plan will guide and shape the future development of health services in our province by improving service delivery and treating patients at the level of care that is most appropriate to their need and closer to their homes.

Notwithstanding the huge demands made on our staff by the ever increasing patient numbers, they remain compassionate and committed. I want to ask the people of the Western Cape to join me in thanking them - and their families - for the sacrifices that they make in caring for our people during this year.

Over the festive season we are conscious of our sacred task of providing health care for those in need. Therefore we call upon all who utilise our services to do so with due consideration for the demands placed on us during this time of the year. Be safe and help ensure the safety of others by being responsible and not acting in a reckless manner. Let us end this year by celebrating our achievements and readying ourselves for the year ahead. Enjoy your families - and for those who travel come back safely.