Latest news with #IServewithaSmile
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Gauteng promotes patient-first care with new health campaign
Gauteng promotes patient-first care with new health campaign The Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness officially launched the I Serve with a Smile campaign at Tambo Memorial Hospital on June 5. The campaign, led by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, signals a new era of compassionate, respectful and patient-centred care across the province. Addressing staff, patients and community members at the launch, Nkomo-Ralehoko said: 'I Serve with a Smile is more than a feel-good initiative; it is a provincial commitment to put people first and to restore public trust in the healthcare system. 'This campaign is about more than service standards. It is about restoring dignity. It is about how we treat people, not just with medicine, but with kindness, empathy, and humanity.' With the launch, Tambo Memorial joins a growing list of public healthcare facilities across Gauteng where the programme is now being implemented. In preparation for the launch, Tambo Memorial began onboarding staff into the programme as early as 2023. Hospital management echoed the MEC's sentiments. 'Serving with a smile is not just for quiet days or easy moments. It is a commitment to passion and professionalism, even in the toughest of circumstances,' said the hospital's acting CEO, Dr Khulekani Shezi. Key objectives of the campaign: • Improve staff-patient communication and empathy • Foster a respectful and supportive workplace culture • Reduce complaints related to staff conduct • Enhance professionalism and accountability • Rebuild trust between the public and the healthcare system At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Cleaner Gauteng: Province joins Deputy President's national clean-up drive
Gauteng is expected to play a major role in the newly launched Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, a national initiative led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Unveiled on June 6, the campaign aims to tackle urban waste, promote environmental responsibility and inspire civic pride in public spaces across SA. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has pledged its strong support. MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko attended the launch alongside Mashatile, reinforcing the department's commitment to cleaner, safer environments that support better public health outcomes. ALSO READ:Ekurhuleni shuts down non-compliant spaza shops over health and safety Structured for a nationwide rollout, the campaign relies on collaboration with local municipalities, government departments and community organisations to achieve a unified effort in environmental upliftment. A key element of the drive is the Bontle ke Botho programme, which encourages municipalities, including Gauteng's, to compete in keeping their areas clean and well-maintained. The programme also seeks to foster local pride and a culture of shared responsibility for public spaces. Speaking at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Mashatile urged communities to take ownership of the initiative. 'We call upon all communities to come on board and do their part in ensuring cleaner spaces,' he said, stressing the importance of active citizen participation. The campaign aligns closely with existing GDoH efforts to promote clean, healthy communities. Last year, Nkomo-Ralehoko handed over a thriving vegetable garden in the N12 informal settlement in Benoni. It was developed on a former dumping site, fulfilling a promise she made in September 2023 to turn the area into a sustainable food source for residents. ALSO READ: Gauteng's 'I Serve with a Smile' campaign aims to restore trust in healthcare That project reflects the campaign's core goals: improving public well-being through practical, community-driven and sustainable action. 'There is a strong link between clean environments and public health,' said Nkomo-Ralehoko.'Such efforts play a vital role in preventing illness and promoting well-being.' The choice of Kliptown's Walter Sisulu Square, deeply tied to SA's history of unity and progress, was a symbolic nod to the campaign's vision of community-led transformation. The initiative also supports the District Development Model, which aims to improve service delivery through better co-ordination between national, provincial and local government. With strong leadership from Mashatile, support from provincial bodies such as the GDoH, and the involvement of local communities, the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign should make a lasting impact on how South Africans live, work and care for their environments. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
