Pretoria - The state of the KwaZulu-Natal healthcare system will come under the spotlight as the provincial Department of Health is set to host a three-day Health Summit.
From 2- 4 September, various stakeholders in health services will gather at Durban's Olive Convention Centre to chart a clear way forward for the delivery of quality healthcare in the province.
Themed 'Transforming Healthcare: Beyond 2011', the summit is expected to attract 800 delegates including department managers, community based organizations, private health sector providers, academia as well as non-governmental organizations, who will exchange views and debate critical issues affecting the sector.
It will also assess the extent to which the province has implemented the five priorities of government; identify key challenges facing the healthcare system; provide intervention and solutions to the challenges and find a better way to solicit views of different stakeholders in a more integrated and coordinated manner.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo noted that despite the gains in made in over a decade of democracy, the healthcare system has not adequately and entirely achieved its transformational goals.
"Some of these [goals] include the two tier health system, inadequate human resource, low retention rates, quality management in hospitals, and perceived lack of fit between health professionals and the world of work and the inability of the system to replace its specialist work force.
"Much more needs to be done to create the healthcare system that discharges at the rate expected and as aspired by the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The outcomes of the summit will act as a guide and point of reference to the continuing work of the department, hospitals, workers, students and other government departments," said Dhlomo.
A summit declaration will be adopted, outlining a set of principles and understandings as regards to the purpose, role and direction for the healthcare system in the province.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize are expected to give keynotes addresses.
