Zuma Applauded for Health Care Speech

February 14 - South African President Jacob Zuma addressed Parliament late last week, outlining reforms in the country's medical industry.

Many of his proposals were applauded and the South African Medical Association issued a statement congratulating Zuma's intention to increase the number of qualified medical staff in the country.

The chairperson of the association, Norman Mabasa said in a statement: "It was welcoming to hear that there will be appointments of qualified heads of departments, chief financial officers, hospital chief executive officers, district health officers and clinic managers."

The most commendable proposal was Zuma's intention to revitalise over 100 nursing colleges across the country.

In addition, he intends opening a medical faculty at the Limpopo Academic Hospital in a bid to train more doctors.

Mabasa said that the South African Medical Association would be happy to assist where needed with regards to advice.

Adding to the positive statements was the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa which said that it was "delighted" that 105 nursing colleges would be revitalised "as this will ensure that more nurses are trained."

The government also emphasised its intentions to focus on a number of key areas that require special attention, including women's health, mother to child transmission, HIV and AIDs.

However, pressure was put on Zuma to implement the National Health Insurance policy.

"The government should, as a matter of urgency, implement all outstanding resolutions that talk to conditions of service for health professionals to ensure that all these progressive strategies that came out of the State of the Nation address are implemented to the letter," said a statement.