Japanese money to build health facilities

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang yesterday signed a R95,2-m agreement with Japanese Ambassador Yasukini Enki, for the improvement of health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Health is central to economic development, and our leaders have emphasised this by making health one of the pillars of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad), said Tshabalala-Msimang."

We really appreciate that Japan has lived up to its international commitment, and is assisting us in the development of equitable and effective health systems.

The agreement was part of a 1999 pledge by the Japanese to inject about R330-m into the country's health sector.

Health Ministry spokesman Sibani Mngadi said the total grant would be spent on improving health infrastructure in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Province particularly the areas that were targeted as priority for the Integrated and Sustainable Rural Development Programme".

The R95,2-m grant for KwaZulu-Natal would be used for the construction of the community health centre in Enseleni township in the Empangeni district. It would also be used to buy equipment for the facility.

The existing Enseleni Clinic has to be upgraded into a community health centre, because it cares for the largest number of outpatients compared to other clinics in that district.

The centre will also reduce the workload from Ngwelezane Hospital, which is the only referral centre for about seven clinics in the area, said Mr Mngadi.

Source: The Citizen, 17 January 2002