Pretoria - The responsibility of strengthening primary health care should not only be left on nurses, but doctors' support is equally critical to effectively strengthen the level of health care.
This was a challenge posed by North West Health MEC, Dr Magome Masike, to provincial doctors during a meeting with practitioners on Monday evening to share government's vision towards turning around primary health care.
The meeting aimed to get all doctors to partner with the department in a drive to improve health services at primary health care level, including clinics and community health centres, strengthen the department's relationship with all the doctors, share best methods of improving the quality of health care services and prepare doctors for the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
Speaking to the doctors, Masike stressed the need for the department and doctors to come together and share a vision of quality primary health care for all.
He emphasised the importance of doctors to understand NHI, which is expected to be implemented by 2012.
"NHI will not close your surgeries. It only seeks for us to work together and share the little resources we have in this country. It is therefore important that as partners, we begin to prepare ourselves for this landmark health policy reform, which is geared to improve the health status of our nation," he said.
During the State of the Nation Address last week, President Jacob Zuma said work has continued to develop the NHI policy and implementation plan, and government will soon be releasing the policy document for public engagement.
Dr Masike further noted the need by health sector to contribute in rural development in order to provide the best quality health care services, health infrastructure and make sure there are adequate health resources in rural areas.
"It means there must be adequate supply of medication, facilities must resemble places of healing and it certainly means that doctors' turnover in rural areas must be adequate.
"The objective of rural development is also shared in the vision of the NHI, which seeks to provide access to quality health care services to all our people, especially the poor and marginalised."
