Free State Health to strengthen non-profit organisations

Speaking at the launch of the Partnership for Primary Health Care on Tuesday, Health MEC Sakhiwo Belot said a total of 48 non-profit organisations will be funded for the next three years to render primary health care services costing R5m.

He said as a provincial government they are constantly faced with the challenges and realities of health care delivery and providing resources to non-profit organisations.

"Providing a caring and compassionate service to vulnerable groups of our community is a matter which we all grapple with every day."

He said providing support to non-profit health institutions should be the responsibility of both the private and public sectors.

"We strongly believe that it is not the responsibility of government alone but of every individual to stand up and assist."

He said he was very pleased that a number of role-players have taken up his call for partnerships.

"We have had successes with the partnerships against HIV as well as tuberculosis and this has given us the courage to approach international donors for support.

"We have learned valuable lessons in our endeavour to support the
community and our partnership against HIV and AIDS have advanced the spirit of co-operation and partnership through the funding of non-profit organisations in our communities," he said.

Community, non-governmental and non-profit organisations, he said, constitute a crucial part of the social support and security network for many of the department's clients in the public sector.

"Many of these organisations assist with advancing our strategic focus on the elements of information, education and communication and outreach programmes, which include care and support whether it is on HIV and AIDS or TB."

Article published courtesy of BuaNews