20 minute read
North West Provincial Government projects
Cancer patients receive comprehensive care
The Oncology Unit at the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex outlines what services they offer to patients in the North West Province.
What is oncology?
The term oncology literally means a branch of science that deals with tumours and cancers. The word “onco” means bulk, mass or tumour while “-logy” means study. Oncology is the field of medicine that is devoted to cancer. Clinical oncology consists of three primary disciplines: medical oncology (the treatment of cancer with medicine, including chemotherapy), surgical oncology (at Tshepong hospital, the surgical aspects of cancer including biopsy, staging and surgical resection of tumours), and radiation oncology (the treatment of cancer with therapeutic radiation).
What are the specialised services of the Oncology Unit?
This unit renders the following services to the patients of the whole of North West Province: • Chemotherapy (out-patient basis and 24hrs) • Outpatient follow-up clinic • First-visit clinic • Symptom management • Improvement of quality of life • Pain management • Palliative care • Work-up for radiation.
How long has the unit been active?
The unit started functioning in October 1999 with 23 patients on an out-patient basis; services rendered were chemotherapy. Services were rendered to the whole NWP as this was the only Oncology Unit in the province.
How does one get access to the unit?
Patients should be worked-up and diagnosed with cancer before they are referred to the Oncology Unit. Usually patients are referred from hospitals or general practitioners or surgeons.
What are the steps followed to access the services?
Oncology depends on diagnostic tests like biopsy or removal of a piece of the tumour tissue and examining it under the microscope. Other diagnostic tests include endoscopy for the gastrointestinal tract, imaging studies like X-rays, CT scanning, MRI scanning, ultrasound and other radiological techniques and nuclear medicine techniques, etc.
When a person suspects that he/she might have cancer or when that person presents with symptoms, the nearest primary health care (PHC) facility or general practitioner should be consulted. The health care workers at the PHC facility or the general practitioner will refer the person for further management and work-up, if needed. After the person has been worked-up for cancer, meaning diagnosed with cancer, the person should be referred to the Oncology Unit as a first visit. When coming to the Oncology Unit’s first-visit clinic for the first time, the patient should come with the following: referral letter, histology report, blood results and X-rays or sonar or scan.
North West Provincial Government
What type of cancer diagnosis gets admitted at the unit?
All types of cancer, except some haematology (blood) cancers.
What do staff specialise in?
There is a qualified and skilled full-time oncologist at the unit with three medical doctors and interns running the unit.
How long does it take to give treatment to patients after diagnosis?
The ideal situation is one to two weeks after diagnosis, but our biggest challenge is late referrals and a delay in receiving all the necessary tests and investigations.
What makes the staff in the unit successful?
The oncology team is very dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled. The staff members have a positive attitude and there is very good team cohesion. The staff members are passionate about the oncology patients.
What challenges are being encountered with patients and the facilities?
Patient challenges: Late referrals of patients. Patients coming in the late stage of their disease. Delays in receiving all the necessary tests and investigations that are needed at the first visit to health facilities. Transportation of patients.
How are the challenges being dealt with?
We have excellent management support. The unit services complex cancer patients with stateof-the-art diagnostic and treatment machines in the Radiation Unit. We offer chemotherapy in a very conducive environment. We believe in teamwork. We strive to deliver high patient care. Therefore, we try to assist each and every patient who is referred to our unit. We use our initiative to overcome most of the problems encountered.
Scanner boosts diagnosis at Tshepong Hospital
A R13-million CT scanner has been acquired by the Radiology Unit.
Dr Magome Masike, MEC for Health, officially opens the new diagnostic unit at Tshepong Hospital Radiology Unit on 13 April 2018.
Communities in the North West now have access to the latest diagnostic technology with the unveiling in 2018 of a Toshiba 160 slice CT Scan with Canon Aquilion CT system at the Radiology Unit of the Tshepong Hospital.
The MEC for Health, Dr Magome Masike, officially launched the state-of-the-art CT Scan in April 2018.
“This is part of the plan by management of the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex, together with the North West Department of Health authorities, to continually improve hospital services by introducing this new advanced CT Scan,” said Dr Masike.
This now means easy access to the latest technology has been made possible for the community and the facility reduces the number of patient referrals to Gauteng hospitals.
The acquisition of the new Toshiba 160 slice CT Scan, which is valued at more than R13-million, was made possible through the National Tertiary Services Grant, and is the first of its kind in the Southern Region.
The Aquilion Prime has a small footprint but a long scan range, a wide 78cm gantry aperture and can scan patients that weigh up to 205kg. These features make it perfect for long trauma cases or cancer (oncology) staging cases.
On the Aquilion prime CT routine, 160-row ultra-helical acquisition is 43% faster than the conventional 128-detector row helical systems. This increased acquisition speed results in shorter scan times, decreased contrast usage and costs, and improved image quality due to decreased movement artefacts.
The scan reconstruction rate is ultra-fast and an insta-view of 0.5mm or 1mm volume can be scrolled through immediately after scanning has been completed.
The machine also boosts with Sure Subtraction which is standard on the system and allows true digital subtraction angiography where the bone is subtracted and not segmented and cut away as on conventional workstations. This makes angiography of difficult areas very easy, quick to do and much more accurate.
For cardiology patients, Sure cardio prospective is a huge benefit when performing cardiac examinations because this is made easier even for less experienced operators. The software assists the operator.
Polaki Mokatsane, CEO of the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital
North West Provincial Government
Complex, is very pleased with the new technology. “This CT Scan boosts with AIDR-3D Integrated Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction works together with Sure Exposure 3D on the system. This ensures that the best image quality will always be achieved, with the least possible radiation exposure to the patient according to the ALARA principle. This CT Scan system not only modulates MA but also boasts Sure KV and modulates it according to the patient size.”
One of the greatest challenges in computed tomography is the interpretation of routine scans in patients with metallic implants. The artefacts caused by the presence of metal can severely obscure nearby structures, making clinical diagnosis difficult or even impossible. Toshiba’s innovative SEMAR (Single-Energy Metal Artefact Reduction) overcomes this. Its high technology employs a sophisticated reconstruction algorithm to eliminate artefacts caused by metal while improving visualisation of the implants, its supporting bone and adjacent soft tissues for an accurate diagnosis.
“We are sure this new CT Scan system will not only improve the workflow and reduce patient waiting lists, but also offer additional examinations like Cardiac CT, CT Colonography and CT Digital Subtraction Angiography,” said Polaki Mokatsane.
By Nico Masiu
Access to tertiary health services is increasing
Shift to universal coverage underway.
The North West Province has experienced historical deprivation in terms of specialised tertiary health services. The apartheid health system put high-tech medical equipment and resources in predominantly white towns while the rest of the historically disadvantaged communities had little or no access to such services. Since the dawn of democracy, government has been at work ensuring that the majority who are the poor have access to quality health care services.
The catalyst to health reform has been a new health dispensation with a shift in policy towards “universal health coverage” as envisaged by the National Health Insurance (NHI). The phased implementation of the NHI enables all South Africans to access quality and comprehensive health services, which will be free at the point of service. In the North West Province, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, which is a pilot district, has seen commendable progress in specialised tertiary health services since 1994.
In 2016/17 the first-ever heart operation was performed in the province through a partnership between Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital, Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital and Netcare Ferncrest. This is a cardiac catherisation and cardiac service. Since then, 20 further patients with heart conditions were successfully operated on and resumed their normal productive lives. The North West Department of Health established the Paediatric Surgery unit whereby children are now operated in the hospital where before they were referred to Baragwanath Hospital in Gauteng.
In 2015/16, the department established cardiothoracic surgery where patients with different diseases of the lung cavity were operated on. In 2014/15, the department managed to conduct operations on cancers in the brain, spine and stomach. The Burns unit at Klerksdorp-Tshepong operated on patients promptly, leading to quick recovery without being exposed to infections Health MEC Dr Magome Masike addressing doctors and dentists about National Health Insurance at a gathering in Klerksdorp.
from travelling long distances.
In recent times, the province saw the expansion of chemotherapy services that was achieved through renovating Ward 8, converting it into a chemotherapy suite with increased capacity to accommodate demands. Treatment of various categories of cancers is now achieved without delays.
North West Provincial Government
One of the beneficiaries and the first-ever patient to receive a heart operation in the province is Mr Sarel de Beer who presented to the surgical department at Tshepong Hospital with a threatened limb due to an embolic phenomenon. He needed open-heart surgery for an atrial myxoma, which is a benign growth within one of the chambers of the heart. The patient was taken to Rustenburg and successfully operated on. "This success is testimony to the fact that the province has managed to recruit and retain the best specialists. We will continue to work hard to retain them, recruit more and address the chronic challenge of health professionals especially the specialists," said North West MEC for Health, Dr Magome Masike.
Dr Masike recently said that the province will continue to improve access to health care services and ensure that the historically disadvantaged population benefit. “Our people deserve the best. Quality specialised tertiary services must reach all our people. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all specialised services which were previously not available to our province are accessible to our people,” said Dr Masike.
Health MEC Dr Magome Masike visits a recovering heart patient.
Training programmes tackle unemployment
Social Development MEC calls for action from young people.
Graduates happily show their certificates in building and civil construction, a training programme for unemployed youth run by the North West Department for Social Development.
Young people should form co-operatives and look for sponsorship from government departments and businesses if they are to lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty, North West MEC for Social Development, Hoffman Galeng, told young people at Wonderkop near Marikana at the end of a training programme.
“Go to your respective communities with the skills that you have acquired during your 10-month training and make a difference. Register co-operatives and look for sponsorship from businesses in your area and various government departments including ours. Sit together, make plans to advance your goals,” Galeng said to the applause of 50 unemployed youth who received training in building and civil construction.
Since 2011, Galeng said his department has provided accredited training to 1 200 unemployed youth who were recruited from deprived wards across the province.
“We are equipping these young people so that they become future employers and be the change agents in the communities that they come from,” Galeng said, adding that the skills that the learners have acquired will increase their employability and encourage them to venture into the labour market.
One of the learners, Samuel Sedu, 23, said he learnt a lot during a 10-month training course which was coupled with practical exercise. During the training, Monamodi said, R1 780 was paid as a stipend to cover their daily expenses and household necessities. “We are so grateful to government for presenting this opportunity to us. We know how to build houses. We wish that government should not neglect us. We really need after-care so that we do not roam around the streets with the skills that we have acquired,” Rampuru said.
North West Provincial Government
Sedu’s sentiments were echoed by MEC Galeng who appealed to municipalities, the business sector and the community at large to adopt and extend the support to leverage on the skills acquired by these young people, so that they contribute meaningfully to the entrepreneurship programmes in the province.
A convenor on youth developmet in the department, Seitebaleng Dikole, said that the learners who have undergone training are the first group to receive full qualification as opposed to statements of results on the modules passed by learners between 2011 and 2016.
The improved programme, Dikole said, allows participants to progress towards the professional fields of becoming artisans if they develop their skills further with additional education and relevant work experience.
Boost for early childhood development
The National Lotteries Commission’s multi-million-rand funding to Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) will improve infrastructure and enhance compliance to the norms and standards required for operating early childhood development centres in the North West Province, according to MEC for Social Development Hoffman Galeng.
“The National Lotteries Commission has sponsored the construction of 12 early childhood education facilities and 10 edu-
containers in identified areas across the province,” Galeng said, adding that community members should take care of the new infrastructure once it is completed.
Mariette van Uyssteen, who founded Haasbekkie Early Childhood Development, has expressed her profound thanks to the department for helping her to apply for funding at the National Lotteries Commission.
“I am so grateful that the Lotteries Commission installed an edu-container at Coldridge in Vryburg.” Uyssteen was operating a day-care centre in a rented room for a period of five years. In that time Uyssteen depended on support from the Caritas community organisation.
Another beneficiary, Constance Makobea, a committee member of the Itireleng Tataiso day-care centre at Itireleng village, said she is grateful that through the assistance of the departmental staff the national lottery would build a fully-fledged centre worth R3.8-million.
Galeng said the construction of prototype ECDs will go a long way to eradicating the crèches which do not meet the norms and standards that are being enforced by the Department of Social Development.
Arts and culture to the fore in North West
Large audiences flock to awards and festivals.
Mmabatho Stadium was packed to capacity for the 2017 Mahika Mahikeng Music and Cultural Festival.
With the success of various high-profile national and provincial events hosted by the Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA), the North West Province is reclaiming its place as one of the key destinations for arts and culture in the country.
These range from end-of-the-year activities such as the Calabash in Taung, Mahika Mahikeng in the capital city, the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), the South African Music Awards (Samas) and the South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards (Satmas).
Most of these events are beamed to the homes and places of entertainment of millions of South Africa via television, giving the province much-needed exposure. They are also events where the crème de la crème of South African entertainment come together to honour and celebrate the finest the country has to offer – in entertainment terms.
CATA views the success of these events as its contribution to tourism in the province.
“We are proud to say, this year we once again put the province on the map when it comes to high-profile national arts and culture events,” says CATA MEC, Ontlametse Mochware. “The SAMAS, SAFTAs, SATMAS, the Calabash and Mahika Mahikeng are national events. As anticipated, these events brought thousands of visitors from across the country including our neighbouring country Botswana, who enjoyed the warmth and splendour of the North West Province.”
The events turn the province into a hive of activity when they take place, bringing a welcome buzz from revellers and stars, ranging from movie and television personalities, to jazz legends and traditional music sensations.
Libraries among the best
When it comes to technology and accessibility, all the libraries built by CATA in recent years are geared to be in touch with modern times – especially when it comes to technology.
An overwhelming number of these library facilities are in rural areas, in line with the developmental thrusts of the Provincial Government.
In a boost to service delivery, not only are these libraries equipped with good-quality furniture, but they also boast modern services such as the Internet and facilities for the visually-impaired. Students can
North West Provincial Government
access books and the Internet to enhance the quality of their projects while entrepreneurs can get onto the web to access tenders and other business opportunities. Toy libraries, which are a section of the bigger building, help the young ones to learn as they play.
This development closes the technological gap between rural and urban communities. One example is that of 17-year-old Boineelo Moema from Itsoseng, who is a shining example to her peers at high school on the value of our community libraries.
“Whatever information I need for my school projects I go to the local library and get whatever information I need either through books or Internet,” she says. “I am happy about the services the local library offers and my vocabulary has improved.”
To date, CATA has built more than a hundred libraries spread across the
length and breadth of the province.
The department has committed itself to supporting the ideals of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) when it says: “By providing access to information, libraries support communities in their exploring and challenging of barriers, values and behaviours as these relate to social inclusion. Furthermore, libraries engage communities on matters of social importance.”
Black farmers benefit
Fifty more producers earmarked for commercialisation programme.
North West Provincial Government
Improving market access for black small-holder producers will lead to improvements in income and food security and promote poverty alleviation.
In a quest to ensure that producers and farmers participate meaningfully in the economy of the province through the food production value chain, the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) has earmarked 50 more black producers for the commercialisation programme.
The purpose of the Black Producers Commercialisation Programme (BPCP) is to support commercialisation of black producers’ farming enterprises, boost investment that will unlock and enhance production by these black producers while ensuring inclusive growth and facilitating sustainable job and wealth creation. The programme further promotes rural development and sector transformation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The agriculture sector has been identified as a key platform for both transformation and economic growth and job creation. MEC Manketsi Tlhape says the programme is a great step towards allowing emerging farmers to have a bigger platform to grow and contribute to the economy of the province and the country.
“The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the economy. We value our agricultural sector immensely because it contributes to economic development as well as food security and job creation for our people,” said MEC Tlhape.
Tlhape also highlighted the fact that the productive agriculture sector has the potential to transform rural areas into sustainable economic centres. The support by government will see previously disadvantaged farmers having a platform to produce quality goods and services for consumers.
Working with various stakeholders under the umbrella of Operation Phakisa, the National Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, together with the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform are collectively addressing challenges of improved access to markets by emerging farmers.
Such collective action yields big and swift results. Through a combination of farmers’ own initiative and motivation, favourable conditions to interact have been created. Through the inclusion of social activities, positive results have been achieved.
The Black Producers Commercialisation Programme will provide comprehensive support to producers and increase access to finance and markets.
ARE YOU A FARMER AND IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO GROW YOUR FARMING BUSINESS?
North West Agricultural Fund (NWAF) assists farmers with loans charged at an interest rate of South African prime rate
Collateral will be needed of 50% of loan amount
Farmers need to have registered a company
Government employees can apply for the loan provided they produce permission granted by employer to perform remunerative work
NWAF APPLICATIONS DON’T CLOSE
Requirements for loan:
• A Viable Business Plan
• Access to land: Permission to Occupy / Tribal lease agreement / Property ownership • Market contracts / Letter of intent
• Company Registration Certificates • Tax Clearance Certificate
• 6 month bank statement
• Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) documentation
Required Documents:
Identity Document (Owner’s ID), Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree where applicable, Proof of address
Come visit us at our offices:
AgriCentre Building Cnr. Dr. James Moroka & Stadium Road Private Bag X2039 Mmabatho 2735
Come visit us at our offices:
Tel: (018) 389 5111/5919
NWAF: Leading North West financial intermediary for radical socio-economic transformation
“Together we move Bokone Bophirima forward’
Ben Pretorius
BIOGRAPHY
Ben has been appointed as the new Head: Retail and Business Bank Executive, North West. He holds a B Degree: Business Administration and Accounting, post-graduate Operational Management qualifications, is a registered Mun. Accountant and a qualified equity trader (SAIFM). With over 15 years banking experience, Ben has extensive expertise in restructuring of debt portfolios, enhanced financial management of municipalities and consulting on special projects to enhance the financial position of public institutions. He was instrumental in developing, setting credit and policies within the Financial Institutions' unit.
Standard Bank’s new strategy
By Ben Pretorius, Provincial Head Retail and Business Banking for Standard Bank in the North West.
What is your strategy regarding the North West?
Standard bank’s aspiration is to become the Leading Financial Institution in North West though our Purpose Africa is our Home we drive her Growth. We are more than just a bank as our value proportion to our clientele overshadows the traditional bank offerings. Our delivery model is centralised around service to customers both current and new, supported by a dedicated relationship that will find a solution for the unique needs of our clientele. The main focus for 2019/20 is underpinned by an enhanced focused approach. Included herein will be public sector, mining, agriculture and manufacturing, construction and tourism. Mainly due to our decentralised structure we are now able to respond to customers need promptly, effectively and efficiently.
Your passion for business?
We have a strong belief that by supporting Enterprise Development via appropriate funding solutions, we will be able to support local economic development. The ripple effect of this “instrument”, by providing funding to entrepreneurs, should yield positive results in job creation and support community growth for the enhanced overall well-being of the region. In the light of this, we have established a dedicated team to support the entrepreneur.
Your approach to the North West market?
Our partnership approach to business has proven to be successful, allowing business to tap into our skilled workforce and product specialists. This will allow businesses to benefit from our product specialisation within the focus areas of our business. Our well-resourced local team, in collaboration with our enablement champions, will consequently offer the suitable solution for the appropriate need. We have constructed industry specialisation champions including Public Sector and Mining and Agricultural, combined with product expertise. We’re looking forward to lead 2019 in areas of Business Banking and structured lending, Vehicle and Asset Finance, Home Loans and Personal Loans. Apart from the traditional offerings, we have superior cashless solutions in order to mitigate on-site risks.
