Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba dedicates her birthday to Rural Health Matters Initiative Milestone

In August 2020, South Africa was adjusting to level 3 of covid 19 pandemic with restriction on many activities including addressing high risk of transmission, the Limpopo Department of Health under the leadership of Dr Phophi Ramathuba as MEC, initiated the Rural Health Matters outreach programme during the height of pandemic uncertainty.

During this time, the province embarked on bringing health specialist to the rural Limpopo province to restore quality of life to patients who cannot afford private medical care, to life-changing testimonies and restore their quality of life.

Since its inception, the programme has benefited more than 10 500 patients focusing on ophthalmology, orthopedics, urogynecology, gynae oncology and general surgery.

As part of her birthday celebration, Premier Dr Ramathuba dedicated 11 to 15 August to visit hospitals across the Vhembe District. During her visit, she interacted with patients who were recovering from surgeries, most of whom were ophthalmological patients.

Ms Siwela Mokhutli is one of the patients that got her vision restored. In 2022 she began to experience pain in her right eye which later led to her losing her vision completely.

“I did not know what was wrong with my eyes, all I remember was pain that ultimately took away my vision. I went to different facilities for consultation and later was referred to Elim Hospital. In Elim, I was booked for surgery after just one consultation and just like that I was assisted within less than three weeks”.

Siwela’s first consultation at Elim Hospital was on the 4th of August 2025. She was booked for the 10th of August where the procedure was performed on the 13th, and her vision was restored at a public hospital by dedicated specialists working in the deepest rural areas, ensuring that the rural health of less privileged matters.

The South African health facilities are known for long awaiting lists to get medical attention that can be performed after more than two years of waiting but, Siwela’s and other patients’ testimony is testament that the Rural Health Matters programme brought about change on how the public view health facilities, especially public facilities.

Being reminded of her passion while giving a helping hand by removing bandages from patients, Dr Ramathuba reminded health workers from a porter to a senior doctor that, they are the reason the Rural Health Matters Programme has succeeded in restoring hope to patients.

“Celebrating my birthday on duty as a health professional is what makes me happy, a life of a rural person matters. These are the people that cannot afford private health care, this programme bridges the gap between rural and urban life, indeed a rural health matters”. EC