MEDIA RELEASEMEDIA RELEASE
Department of Health.  North West Province
Tel: (018) 387-5135. Fax:  (018) 387- 5322
 
 
14 November 2000
 
 
DEPARTMENT REAFFIRMS AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE APPROACH
 
 
The Department of Health in the North West Province recommits itself to continue 
delivering affordable, equitable and quality primary health care services to the 
people of the province. This is according to a report presented to the 
Departmental Lekgotla ( Bosberaad) held in Rusternburg today.
 
The report noted that every person in all the 18 districts of the province is 
able to access health services from professionally trained health are workers. 
The health districts enable families and communities to access health facilities 
and services in a cost-effective manner. This approach is consistent with the 
national health system, which facilitates the provision of a coherent health 
service which is accessible and affordable to all.
 
According to the departmental spokesperson, Cornelius Monama, the underlying 
principle of a primary health care is that all people are entitled to treatment 
whenever they need health care, regardless of their ability to pay. " It also 
means that they cannot be denied their right to treatment when they are sick or 
when they need health information".
 
 
However, the department is also aware that there are still some areas where 
patients are denied their basic health rights. This is especially true where 
health facilities are segregated on the basis of race and color in private 
health facilities in areas such as Ventersdorp and Schweizer-Reneke as well as 
in some state- aided hospitals like Ottosdal and Stella.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TB, Mental Health and Maternal, Child and Women's health programmes were 
identified as some of the key priority programmes within the primary health care 
setting. HIV/AIDS remains priority number one of the department.
 
 
END
 
 
 
Issued by                                  :                     Boipelo 
Mooketsi
                                                                        082 770 
3688
 
For further information contact:                    Cornelius Monama
                                                                        082 578 
4063
 
 
 
 
