The Free State Executive Council visited the two major public hospitals in the Mangaung Metro shortly after they were appointed and sworn in.
The new MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi, was appointed by Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae on Thursday, 20 June, and sworn in on Sunday in a ceremony that was presided over by Free State Judge President Cagney Musi.
Premier Letsoha-Mathae led a team on unannounced visits to the Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and National District Hospital. These unannounced visits put an enormous challenge to Mahlatsi to lead a quick turn-around on the deficiencies that were picked up during the visits.
In a news release by Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the Department of Health, Mahlatsi’s resumption of his tenure in office coincides with critical programmes in the calendar of health services such as June being set aside as Men’s Health and Men’s Mental Health Month. On the other hand, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also observes 24 to 26 June as the International Drug Awareness Week whilst the world observes 25 June as World Vitiligo Day.
“All these calendar days have a bearing on the quality of life of all people in the Free State, South Africa, Africa, and the world. They challenge all of us to action in various ways to contribute towards ensuring that the quality of life of our people is improved through the widening of access to, availability and affordability of health care services from preventative primary health care levels in our households, schools, workplaces and clinics to specialised levels of curative care in our hospitals,” Mahlatsi said.
The world drug problem is a complex issue that affects millions of people. Many people who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which can further harm their physical and mental health, and prevent them from accessing the help they need.
This also places an enormous financial and physical infrastructure burden on the already extremely constrained health care sector which must hire more health care workers, avail beds and medicines for the 72-hour observation areas in hospitals, as well as providing access to community-based mental health users facilities and psychiatric hospital.
In line with global efforts at fighting the scourge of drug addiction, Mahlatsi recognises the importance of taking a family oriented and people-centered approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices.
Mvambi said the aim of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of the family in the treatment and treating people who use drugs with respect and empathy. It requires providing evidence-based, voluntary services for all; offering alternatives to punishment; prioritising prevention; and leading with compassion. The campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs by promoting language and attitudes that are respectful, non-judgmental and supportive towards rehabilitation.
“Substance abuse also disrupts families as the basic unit of society. Families are negatively impacted upon as families of substance-dependent persons are initially subjected to immense pressure and emotional strain. Once a person is addicted to substances, valuable family items begin to disappear in homes.
“Family members are suddenly forced to travel around with their belongings because of fear that the substance-user in their homes will sieze and sell in order to access a fix and feed their expensive habit. The life of the entire household is altered and the family lives like outsiders in their own home,” he said. Ultimately, the mental health of the whole family is affected. This contributes immensely to some of the anomalies we see in our society.
“Our campaigns and services are going to prioritise the basic unit of society, the family. If we can get the family going right then we can fix our society and our province,” said Mahlatsi.
The observance of World Vitiligo Day is highlighting a condition that causes human skin to lose its colour or pigment. This condition occurs when the pigment-producing cells stop functioning or die.
The loss of colour can affect any part of a human body including the mouth, hair, and eyes. It is more noticeable in dark-skinned people.
The theme for World Vitiligo Day 2024 is “United by the skin”. This theme emphasises the importance of recognising and appreciating the unique beauty of individuals with vitiligo. It encourages viewing vitiligo as a condition not to be concealed, but to celebrate it as part of human diversity.
