Uthungulu health district newletter : January - April 2014uThungulu Health District Newsletter...

uThungulu Health District Newsletter January - April 2014

Inside This Issue

Acting DM’s Corner....2 Freedom Flame....3

MEC Awards...4 Fight Against TB…..6

Photo Gallery….7 Wellness Day.....8

Making a Difference...10 Provincial Sports...11

PR Interns Column...12

Fighting Disease, Fighting Poverty, Giving Hope


ACTING DISTRICT

MANAGER’S

CORNER –

MS PPT DLWATI


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T he 2013/14 financial year has come to an end. This has been a year of great achieve-

ments, a year of challenges. Yet, I remain proud of being part of the Uthungulu Health District team.

The end of the financial year is a great time to look back at the achievements and challenges and look forward to the plans of the upcoming financial year.

I am proud of our achievements in the 2013/14 financial year; an improved TB cure rate, decreased maternal mortality rate, estab-lishment of Phila Mntwana cen-tres and establishment of alter-nate sites for the distribution of chronic medicines. This was as a result of team work and shared vision in the District.

The beginning of the 2014/15 fi-nancial year will be a year, where

the District needs to work very hard in achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals as we are left with less than one year until the deadline.

I believe that in the new financial year, we can outdo ourselves and achieve more as a team of dedi-cated employees.

We cannot forget the partnership with other Departments, the Non-Governmental organizations and the private sector. This has helped us achieve our goals as the Department.

In 2014/15 financial, let us con-tinue to work smart to achieve our goals whilst taking care of ourselves. I wish all the staff a fruitful

year.


Freedom Flame Ignites People's Spirits as it passes through UThun-

gulu

T he Freedom flame touched Uthungulu District. The flame was received from Umkhanyakude District on

the 31st of March 2014 to be paraded in all of Uthungulu local municipality areas. The freedom flame marks a symbol of strides that have been made through the democratic government over twenty years.

One can feel the vibrant spirit when the freedom flame descended upon

Nseleni Community Health Centre. Community members that were wait-ing to receive health services con-verged to out patient waiting area to embrace the freedom flame. A short speech by the Premier Of KwaZulu Natal Mr Senzo Mchunu. The key points on his speech were based on the developments and tangible changes that have been done over twenty years.

Above left: Mr ES Mchunu (Premier-KwaZulu Natal), Police Officer Carrying the Freedom Flame and Cllr T Mchunu (UThungulu District Mayor)

Above right: Ms PPT Dlwati is briefing the Premier with Mrs B Mavundla (Nseleni Nursing Man-ger)

Community members and dignitar-ies listening to KZN Premier, Mr Senzo Mchunu’s enlightening speech


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u Thungulu District made us proud when they received awards at the

MEC’s Annual Service Excellence Awards 2013/14 [MASEA] on the 21st February 2014 at Durban ICC.

The MEC for Health, Dr SM Dlomo, initiated these awards as a means of acknowledging the dedication and hard work of many health officials that have given their services

Above: Ms PPT Dlwati (Acting District Manag-er), Mr V Naidoo (EMRS District Manager) &

Mrs NP Dladla (PHC Specialist)

Above: Dr S Zungu (KZN Health-HOD), Ms PPT Dlwati (uThungulu Acting DM) & Dr SM Dlomo (KZN Health MEC)

From left to right: Dr S Zungu (Health HOD), Ms PPT Dlwati (uThungulu Acting DM), Ms BS Mosuwe (CEO-LURWM Hospital), Dr SM Dlomo (Health MEC), Mr T Nhlapho (Nseleni CHC Pharmacy Manager) & Mrs CNN Mkhwanazi (CEO-Eshowe Hospital)

to the Department of Health.

These awards were given to officials that have made a difference in the Department of Health over the years. This being the first MEC’s awards ceremony, UThungulu Dis-trict surely did not disappoint, as they were acknowledged in three categories.

UThungulu District received the first award, which was Silver in Best Perfor-mance towards Achieving of Millennium De-velopment Goal 6 (Tuberculosis). The second award was Bronze in Best Performance to-wards Achieving of Millennium Develop-ment Goal 6 (Combat HIV & AIDS, Malaria and other diseases. UThungulu EMRS scooped the third award for Special Recogni-tion in managing the Nkwalini Bus Accident from the Reed Dance Festival in Traumatic Circumstances.

Well done uThungulu, Let us continue to Strive for Best

Performance in the Services we render to the People !!!!!!!

UThungulu Health District scooped awards during the MEC Awards for


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K wambiza Clinic launched the Phila Mnt-wana along with the awareness’s of STIs

and HIV/Aids on the 28th February 2014 at Mkhandlwini Library. Community members from the area attended the Phila Mntwana Launch to gain a better understanding of this initiative.

Ms Nomusa Thwala (Community Care Givers Co-ordinator) from uThungulu District Health, spoke about the Phila Mntwana Initiative as it has been noted that children are dying from malnutrition, diarrhea, Tuberculosis, pneumonia. Clinics may be too far away and when these children come to the hospital, they have complications that could have been prevented. The target group of Phila Mnt-wana is for children between 0-5 years. The services that are offered by Phila Mntwana are Vitamin A medication, MUAC (Middle Upper Arm Circum-ference) screening, Demonstration on how to do ORS (Oral rehydration Solution) and many other services. On certain days, Family Health Teams will come and do de-worming and immunisations.

Mr V. Mkhabele (Nutrition) from uThungulu Dis-trict Health Office, mentioned the importance of exclusive breastfeeding between 0-6mnths and not to mix feeds because the baby’s gut is not fully de-veloped and the baby will be prone to HIV if the mother is HIV positive. The importance of having vegetable gardens in the community, which is fresh and healthy, were also highlighted.

CCGs (Community Care Givers) from Mkhandl-wini, did a drama play which emphasizing the im-portance of going to the clinic whilst being preg-nant and being HIV positive. The importance of family planning and the use of contraception were highlighted as well as the new contraception (Implanon) which will start once training on how to insert it is complete. Mkhandlwini Community members are excited about this initiative.

Above: Ms Nomusa Thwala and Prof Nurse Ziningi Ndlovu (Family Health team leader) are educating community on Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MAUC) Tape.

Above: Mkhandlwini Community members came out in numbers to support the event, receive health services and listening to Health messages that were delivered on the day.

Above: Ms Nomusa Thwala and a Community Care Giv-er providing services to community members


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M arch is a TB awareness month, so Uthungulu Health District was involved in a number of TB Awarenesses in

different parts of Uthungulu District. That was achieved through partnering with other stakeholders. The build up to Operation Mbo that was held in Dolwane area under Nkandla Sub-District. The build up events consisted of a door-to-door TB campaign that was done at Mpembeni area under Mhlathuze Sub- District. All Sub District

TB teams converged to this area to do door-to-door. During the door-to-door TB cam-paign 873 households were visited, screened 1130 suspects, collected 693 specimens of which 13 were TB positive, 58 reactive and 211 people were done HIV Counselling Test-ing. The other build up events took place in Chwezi area under Nkandla Sub District, Chwezi clinic was chosen because it is the best performing clinic on TB. In Chwezi 162 people were screened for TB.

Uthungulu Health District ac-celerates the fight against TB

The other build up activity through partnership with Im-pangele Project, three schools were visited under Nkandla to raise TB awareness through performing drama which is educating about TB. TB day was celebrated at Dolwane ar-ea, a very remote area under Nkandla Sub District on the

22nd of March 2014. The Dol-wane event was organised in an Operation Mbo style, where different government depart-ments provided different ser-

vices on the day. It is through these efforts we have seen Uthungulu Health District be-ing the best performing Dis-tricts in TB management in the Province, even country wide, which was witnessed when Uthungulu Health Dis-trict received a Silver award in Best Performance towards Achieving of Millennium De-velopment Goal 6 (Tuberculosis) during MEC Annual Service Excellence Awards.

Dolwane community came in numbers to receive different services and listen to information shared during TB day operation mbo

Mr M. Mbatha, Uthungulu Health District TB coordinator addressing Dolwane com-munity during TB day cele-bration in Dolwane area.


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Left Pic-ture 1,2,3 : As a build up to TB Day, there was a drama play with Impan-gela Project to create an awareness of TB at three schools under the Nkandla Municipality, namely, Nkandla High School, Mthiyaqhwa High School and Sigananda School

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2

3

Above: UThun-gulu District Mayor,

Cllr T Mchunu addressing the Dolwane com-munity during TB Day

Above: UThungu-lu Deputy Chair-OSS,

Mr S Mkhwanazi addressing the community of Dolwane area

Above: Dolwane Community Mem-bers

Right: Commu-nity member engag-ing in Public partici-pation


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u Thungulu Health District hosted a Healthy Aware-

ness Day on the 27th March 2014 at District Office. The MEC for Health: KwaZulu-Natal, Dr S.M Dlomo advo-cates that a “Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body” is a sure guarantee to a productive and healthy nation.

Uthungulu Health District Office pro-motes Healthy Lifestyle and prioritizes it as being a tool to help employees change their behavior and improve their health in order to live a healthier and longer life.

Despite the rainy weather, staff were still en-thusiastic at the day’s activities, as they as-sessed health screening services which were performed by Old Mutual nursing team and CANSA registered nurse Mrs. J. Moyo. Thirty one (31) employees did health screening con-sultations i.e. checking HB, BP, Cholesterol, Sugar, BMI etc. Other services were HCT, Cervical and Prostate Cancer examinations.

Engagement in physical activities such as 2km fun walk, aerobics, tug of war etc. by staff members added that vi-brant energy to the fun-filled day.

Our gratitude goes to Ejimini Fitness Club Consultants, who assisted with an Aerobics Instructor and sharing infor-mation on the benefits of gyming. The

consultants awarded those em-ployees who had excellent perfor-mance in aerobics activity. One day vouchers were given to all staff members who participated in aerobics. Our sincere gratitude goes to the District Management for allowing us to host such an event and also to District Office staff members, who fully partici-pated and cooperated well which made the Wellness Day a success. A joyful day was had by all.

Uthungulu Health District Hosted a Healthy Lifestyle Day

Above: The District Staff were enjoying an energetic Aerobics Workout Session

Above: Nonto, our Registry Clerk, getting her Vitals checked by the

nursing team from Old Mutual


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Left: Mr CT Mnqayi checking exactly how Tall he really is...

Below: Mr L Mabaso doing CANSA screening with nurse Jean Moyo

Above: Ms BN Mnqayi doing blood screenings by nurse

Below: Ms H Mbhamali do-ing CANSA screening with

nurse Jean Moyo

Above: Staff members enjoying their Aerobics workout


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b n 5 March 2014 a Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM) girl (7 months) was identified at the Phila Mntwana site in Don-dotha, Fuyeni Ward 12. The child was identified by the Nu-trition Advisor, who immediate-ly referred the child to Don-dotha clinic for assessment by the Professional Nurse. The child was then referred to Ngwelezane Hospital for imme-diate admission to inpatient care.

The Child was diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (MUAC = 8.8cm) and Severe Visible wasting.

When the District Nutrition Co-ordinator wanted feedback as to where the child is and what treatment has been started, Di-eticians at Ngwelezane Hospi-tal confirmed that the child was seen but that the mother re-fused admission for the child. She was seen by a Pediatric Consultant, who also strongly advised the mother that it is in the best interest of the child to be admitted for treatment. The mother was also referred to the Social Worker and Dieticians, but still the mother refused ad-mission. The consultant pre-scribed relevant medication and dieticians gave health educa-

tion and therapeutic supple-ments – together with a fol-low up date, which the moth-er did not attend.

The District Nutrition Coor-dinator traced the child via the Family Health Team Nurse and Nutrition Advisor at Dondotha Clinic, who con-firmed that they were back at their house and that still the mother refused for her baby to be admitted to hospi-tal. The Nutrition Advisor, CCG, Family Health Team Leader and Dieticians were all becoming increasingly concerned about the health of the child, as it was clear that more interventions were needed.

The District Nutrition Coor-dinator (Mrs. T van Aswe-gen), accompanied by the PHC supervisor for Nseleni CHC (Matron Ndabanadaba) and Social Worker for Nsele-ni CHC (Mrs S.P Mthembu) drove to Fuyeni to engage the mother on the dangers of not seeking urgent care for this child.

After long discussions and negotiations, the mother agreed that an ambulance can collect her and her baby for admission to Ngwelezane Hospital.

Mr Naidoo from EMRS arranged an ambulance and a CCG had been mo-bilized to wait at Don-dotha Clinic for the am-bulance and take them to their homestead and transport them to Ngwelezane Hospital. The little girl was admit-ted and has been recover-ing well.

A Big Thank You to a very dedicated CCG, Nu-trition Advisor & Family Health Team Leader from Dondotha Clinic — with the support of the District Nutrition Team, EMRS, Social Worker & PHC Supervisor from Nseleni and the dedicated Dieticians & Doctors from Ngwelezane Hospital.

Tanya Van Aswegen —

Assistant Director

Nutrition


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T he aim for these games is to encourage all Public servants to engage in physi-

cal activities, which is ultimately leading healthy lives and discouraging unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and not ex-ercising. UThungulu Health District Office pro-motes Healthy Lifestyle and prioritizes it as be-ing a tool to help employees change their be-haviors and improve their health in order to live healthier lives.

Work and Play is based on participating in the league of which Uthungulu Health is participat-ing in soccer, netball and volleyball, competing with all other departments in Uthungulu District. Our Soccer team were Uthungulu Work and Play champions.

Provincial Work and Play championships games were held on the 28th of March 2014, where all other districts champions competed in soccer, netball and volleyball. Uthungulu Health District was representing Uthungulu in soccer. Uthun-gulu Health District did not disappoint as the team was ultimately crowned Work and Play Provincial champions.

Congratulations Boys !!!

Uthungulu Health District Soccer Team are Provincial Work and Play Champions

Above: Uthungulu Soccer team are work and play provincial champions.

Right: Thulani Mkhize and Sa-belo Tembe cele-brated in style

Above: Uthungulu Soccer team cele-brating their Victory

Below left to right: Vusi Khumalo, Nkosikhona Zwane, Thulani Mkhize, Sabelo Tembe, Qaphelani Ngema and kneeling is Mazisi Zulu


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câuÄ|v exÄtà|ÉÇá \ÇàxÜÇá VÉÄâÅÇ W ow, this has been a truly amazing

year. I have grown through my In-ternship and it has been a really re-

warding experience for me, practising what I have learnt during my university years on a completely different level. Starting on the 2nd May 2013, Lower Umfolozi Hospital staff wel-comed me with open arms and smiles. Working at the hospital was an enriching and inspiring experience. I definitely gained an insight to the life of a Public Relations Officer. Planning and organizing events was hard work, but when things fell into place at the end and the event was successful – that was an achievement. Com-piling reports was a long tedious task but was always completed within the time frame. I as-sisted the Public Relations Officer with conduct-ing surveys dealing with patients and staff. I have also entered the data from the surveys on the system to compile reports with statistics and graphs. Implementing the Batho Pele Principles in order to make sure that the clients received the best health care service from Lower Umfolo-zi Hospital was key to maintaining the hospital’s image in the public’s eye. Being transferred to uThungulu Health District Office on the 17th February 2014, was another new experience for me. Attending District events, taking out photo-

graphs, liaising with media, monitoring health information material, compiling district com-plaints and events reports, creating name tags for new staff, monitor-ing the notice-boards were just a few of my many tasks which I thor-oughly enjoyed.

April 30, 2014 will be my last day BUT I want to Thank the uThungulu Health District team for giving me this opportunity to gain immense knowledge and experience in the Health Department, which promotes efficient service delivery to the public, to Lower Umfolozi Regional War Memo-rial Hospital staff for welcoming me with open arms and channeling me to new experiences in the work environment. To Mr Manqele & Mrs Xaba, Thank you for everything that you have taught me as I am better equipped with sound knowledge of my field. Siyabonga !!!

M y name is Nkosingi-phile Cyn-thia Nene

known as Makoti ( named Uthungulu Health District staff members ). I would like to take this oppor-tunity to thank De-

partment of Health especially UThungulu Health District as well as Lower Umfolozi Hospital for giving me this opportunity of integrating theory with practical. I com-pleted and graduated my Diploma in Pubic Relations Management at University of Zu-luland in 2011 , thereafter I applied for in-ternship Programme as part of gaining an exposure in Public Relations field , by God's grace I was employed as an Intern Public Relations at uThungulu Health Dis-

trict from the 2nd of May 2013.

Working at uThungulu Health District was a stepping stone into working environment especially under the supervision of Com-munications Manager, Mr. S. Manqele who was patiently enough to teach, encourage “uzoba-Strong” and motivate me. At dis-trict level I gained an experience in this following areas that is National Core Stand-ards, media liaison and media monitoring, prepared article for newsletter, complaints management, reports writing, updating of the webpage, photo taking and a lot more.

In conclusion I like to appreciate uThun-gulu Health District office team and Lower Umfolozi Hospital team for allowing me to be part of the team that is oblige in deliv-ering health service to the community .

Tiffany Lee Naidoo

Mphile Nene


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COMPILED BY: S.MANQELE (DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS) AND T.L.NAIDOO (PRO INTERN)

UThungulu Health District Office

Private Bag X 20034, Empangeni, 3880

No.2 Lood Avenue, Cnr Chrome & Crescent Rd,

Empangeni Rail

Tel.:035 7870631

Fax: 0357870644

Email: [email protected]

www.kznhealth.gov.za

G reetings to you all, 2013/2014 fi-nancial has been a fantastic peri-od although it had it’s ups and downs but one has managed to

soldier on. All hospitals within our District are operating with full time Public Relations Officers which assists a lot in improving of communication and coordinating of activities and events.

Firstly I would like to extend my appreciate to two PRO Interns that joined our District in May 2013, Tiffany Naidoo and Mphile Nene. Mphile was placed at the District office and Tiffany was at Lower Umfolozi War Memori-al Hospital. The two have excelled and have contributed immensely during their period with us. I wish them all the best future in their careers. Secondly I would like to wel-come three Public Relations Officers that

have joined Uthungulu family, Ms Thobile Hadebe for Ngwelezane Hospital, Mr Jabula-ni Zwane for Nkandla Hospital and Ms Sineziwe Duma for Eshowe Hospital. I wish you all the best in your respective hospitals and always remember that you will never go wrong when you become a team player, not work in silos and try to contribute positively no matter how big your institution challenges may be.

In conclusion I would like thank all those that have contributed to this Newsletter and other Newsletters that have been compiled before and my appreciation also goes to our local Media that is Zululand Observer , Zulu-land Fever, Umlozi and 1KZN TV for their positive contribution in covering our Health articles. THANK YOU

S. Manqele - District Communications

2013 / 2014 Reflection ...


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