The City Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health, Clr Bengeza Mthombeni, says clinics should be the first port of call for all patients in the Johannesburg. "The range and quality of care and treatment are rapidly improving and patients with more severe conditions will be referred to hospitals and other medical facilities in the City.
"We now have a clinic within easy access of every resident of Johannesburg. Together with communities we are making progress to improve the quality of life and health of the people of the City," he says.
One of the tangible improvements in health statistics in the city has been in the field of tuberculosis control. Through an aggressive awareness campaign the cure rate of newly diagnosed patients suffering from TB has grown from only 54% in 2002 to more than 76% currently.
Immunisation has proven to be another effective health intervention. Johannesburg has made remarkable progress in its efforts to improve child and maternal health by improving its immunization coverage for under one-year-olds from 87,6 % in 2007 to 96,2% in 2010.
Clr Mthombeni says the City's HIV and AIDS programme has long been recognised as the most effective in the country. The programme is overseen by the Johannesburg Aids Council, chaired by Mayor Amos Masondo, and bringing together the expertise of academics, researchers, government departments and 22 community organisations.
Last year seven more clinics were added to the list of facilities that provide anti-retroviral treatment, bringing the total number of clinics to 25. These services are progressively being expanded to eventually include all health facilities, says Clr Mthombeni
Johannesburg has adopted a community-based model to address the challenges faced by those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Through the Jozi Ihlomile programme the City is training community members on issues of information, education and responsibility to care for and support at a grassroots level.
City campaigns on HIV/Aids support the national objectives to reach 15 million people with information, education and opportunities to be tested. HIV testing is a cornerstone of these campaigns. Residents across the region are urged to make use of the free testing services available at city clinics and to mobilise their communities to go for testing and counselling.
In addition to HIV-testing visitors to the clinics are now also screened for hypertension, blood sugar levels and haemoglobin while pap smears are being offered to female patients.
Clr Mthombeni says the City is placing strong emphasis on health promotion programmes to reduce the prevalence of illnesses, especially chronic diseases associated with lifestyles. Issues of diet, exercise, smoking and substance abuse are highlighted as key danger areas.
