The Mpumalanga Department of Health actively participated in the National Department of Health Summit, held from 11 to 13 November 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The summit, which focused on enhancing patient-centred care coordination, brought together representatives from various provinces to develop a unified approach to addressing health service fragmentation across South Africa.

The event featured stakeholders from across the health sector, who gathered to devise strategies for more integrated and efficient patient care, aiming to foster community-based solutions that are tailored to local needs. Key discussion points included improving coordination among healthcare providers and addressing gaps that lead to fragmented services.

Dr Cheryl Nelson, Chief Director of Primary Health Care for Mpumalanga, emphasised the significance of the summit for the province. “It was a privilege for our delegation to represent Mpumalanga at this pivotal gathering,” she stated. “We are dedicated to integrating the insights gained and strategies explored into actionable plans to enhance care coordination, remove healthcare barriers, and ultimately improve health outcomes across our communities.”

Dr Nelson highlighted the summit’s role in promoting a more resilient public health sector. The insights gained at the summit will be essential in addressing the current challenges faced by public health facilities, where capacity limitations often impact service delivery. She expressed optimism about the collaborative momentum initiated at the summit, noting that it would bolster efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery for all South Africans.

“We look forward to sustained cooperation with the National Department of Health,” Dr Nelson added. “Strengthening healthcare capabilities and making services more accessible and responsive to the needs of our citizens remains a priority. We are confident that this summit marks a positive step towards more cohesive and effective healthcare systems nationwide.”

This summit reinforces the government’s commitment to a patient-focused approach, aiming for greater consistency in healthcare standards across provinces and a more proactive response to regional healthcare challenges. As Mpumalanga aligns its health policies with the national agenda, the department’s focus will remain on creating sustainable improvements that address both immediate needs and long-term health outcomes for all communities in the province.

Through its participation in the summit, Mpumalanga’s health officials have not only represented the province’s healthcare priorities but have also positioned themselves as active partners in a nationwide effort to transform public healthcare, driven by patient-focused care and community engagement.