Mafikeng - In an effort to improve access to quality healthcare, North West MEC for Health and Social Development, has called on communities to engage with government.
Speaking at a two-day Provincial Health Consultative Forum, which aims to improve the provision of healthcare services, Rebecca Kasienyane said government wants to understand and respond faster to the public's health needs.
Kasienyane said the department depends on the forum to assist in understanding the needs of communities.
"We cannot know where the people live, understand their needs or even respond faster if we do not consult them," she said.
She acknowledged that there are still massive challenges of health service delivery particularly in rural communities. She said while there are massive challenges in the delivery of health services, particularly in rural area, she was confident that with the help of the forum, conditions will improve.
Recently, the department launched a Volunteering, Testing and Counselling (VCT) programme which encourages the public to know their status.
"We cannot be able to reach out to all our people and to encourage them to come forward and participate in the Mass Campaign for Volunteering, Testing and Counselling without all of us working together.
"Let us rally our people behind this campaign and make it a success. If we fully implement it and manage to reach all our people, we will be able to see a significant improvement in the health status of our communities," she said.
