Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, will on Christmas day visit a North West hospital as part of the department's tradition to celebrate the birth of babies born on the day.
The visit at Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital is part of the department's drive to work together with all health workers and professionals in order to ensure delivery of the best services in the country's clinics and public hospitals.
Dr Ramokgopa said the department and stakeholders in the health sector were working tirelessly to involve mothers and fathers in programmes that will guarantee that most babies in this country are born healthy.
"This is part of the great movement towards improving maternal, child and women's health and nutrition," she said.
During her visit, she will also highlight the importance of injury prevention.
"Prevention of violence and injuries is a national public health priority and relates to the department's mandate of increasing life expectancy of all South Africans," she said, noting that alcohol abuse was one of the health risk factors identified that perpetuates injuries.
Ramokgopa will also visit the casualty unit to assess the rate of injuries and deaths addressed by health workers in public hospitals during this festive season.
She will also send a message of goodwill to the health workers and emergency medical services personnel who have been working tirelessly during the festive season, ensuring that the lives of people are saved.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Provincial Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo will on Christmas day visit Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital to congratulate mothers on their bundles of joy.
"Of all the people being impacted by the poor health outcomes, the children and expecting mothers are foremost in the minds of our government and the department in particular. It is no surprise, therefore, that we are concentrating our efforts on improving maternal and child care in public health facilities." Dr Dhlomo said.
