THE Eastern Cape Department of Health will spend millions of rands on a perimeter fence at the Komani Psychiatric Hospital to provide safety.
This was revealed by Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, at the Provincial Legislature, when she was delivering her budget and policy speech on Tuesday, March 15.
Two clinics in the Chris Hani district will also benefit in an upgrade programme, meant to meet the department’s expected high standard of health provision.
Ilinge Clinic in Ilinge and Philani Clinic in Komani will be upgraded in the 2022/23 financial year.
Meth said the government was on a mission to provide access to quality affordable health services, based on individuals’ needs, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. The budget of the upgrade of the clinics had not been received from Mkhululi Ndamase, Meth’s spokesperson, at the time of writing.
“The department is currently constructing a perimeter fence at the Komani Hospital to ensure safety for patients and staff at a cost of R8.9 million,” Meth said.
The department has also embarked on a massive health professionals accommodation programme. A total of 34 bed spaces, for health professionals, were created in Mjiyana Hospital in the Chris Hani district.
Meth said the country recorded 34 587 teenagers who gave birth in the 2020/21 financial year.
“Between July and December 2021 there were 319 children aged between 10 and 14, and 9 396 girls aged between 15 and 19 who gave birth in our Eastern Cape facilities,” Meth said.
Meth said this was an alarming trend of sexual activity by those under 21 years old. She called for a return to abstinence.
“This is of grave concern because children should not be having children. There is no way a 10-year-old can legally consent to sex, so let’s protect the innocence of our children from sexual abuse,” she said.
Meth said her department was using this moment of great challenge, due to COVID-19, as a catalyst for a turnaround as the department of health refocuses its targets towards the goal of universal access to quality health and health and care for all.
