Hence, it has become imperative for the private sector to become involved in helping South Africa reach the Millennium Development Goal's target of reducing the mortality rate of under-fives by two-thirds and increased coverage of immunisations to 90% by 2015.
In partnership with the Department of Health, Clicks has taken up the challenge by launching the Moms and Babies Project through the Helping Hand Trust. The Western Cape is the first province to take up and implement the offer.
Speaking at the launch of the Helping Hand Trust at the new Clicks Gugulethu Square Pharmacy, the Western Cape MEC of Health, Theuns Botha, said "The strategic partnership is in tandem with Provincial Government's objective to co-opt the private sector in addressing solutions for health issues in our province. In this regard, Clicks with its more than 50 pharmaceutical outlets in this province, can play a major role."
Botha invited other private sector role players to join provincial government's efforts to improve wellness by capitalising on existing facilities, rather than building new facilities. Botha pointed out that recent surveys demonstrated that the Western Cape already achieved the best results with regard to delivery of health services in the country. "We are managing outcomes in this province in accordance with World Health Organisation standards," he said.
"Having access to basic healthcare is a constitutional right," said Mike Harvey, the managing director of Clicks. "Through our over 265 pharmacies we can help lessen the burden on state facilities by offering help for mothers and babies from less privileged communities, as well as those without access to medical aid."
Free immunisation, baby feeding and nutritional advice, baby weighing and family planning will initially be offered at Clicks Gugulethu Square on Thursday afternoons. The project will soon be rolled out to selected stores countrywide, with the long-term goal of extending the services to mobile clinics for moms and babies in outlying areas.
To help fund this initiative, Clicks staff and suppliers will be encouraged to 'lend a helping hand', whilst 5% of the proceeds of Clicks-branded baby products marked with the Helping Hand logo will be donated to the Moms and Babies trust.
