Stakeholders expected to attend the forum include academics, traditional leaders, traditional health practitioners, health portfolio committee, municipalities, NGOs, unions, Provincial Council on Aids, private sector institutions and senior managers in the department.

Department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane explained that the stakeholders will form part of a multi-sectoral approach to advance and monitor delivery of health care services through the establishment of a provincial health consultative forum.

“The forum will promote, facilitate interaction, communication and sharing of information on provincial health issues between representatives of the provincial department and municipal organisations identified by the member of the executive council,” said Lekgethwane.

The forum will be required by law to meet once every 12 months to review policies and projects.

The department has also brought on board the North West University as partners to assist with developing a booklet of governance and governance structures within local government and the public sector environment. 

“The university will also facilitate workshops to train members of governance structures on the challenges and the role they should play in improving health service delivery, particularly at primary health care level,” said Lekgethwane.