MEC Maruping Lekwene said this during the sexual reproductive health campaign and march against illegal and unsafe abortions, led by the Deputy Minister of Health, Sibongiseni Dlhomo, at the Sol Plaatje University's South Campus in Kimberley on Friday. 

Speaking to OFM News, he explained that confidentiality is one of the key issues which the department has to improve to deal with the challenges of illegal abortions and teenage pregnancies. Lekwene lashed out at health professionals who do not abide by the rules of the oath they took.

"They are not professional, they violate the oath of secrecy – we don't open up about people's private illnesses. They have a right not to disclose what is troubling them. As a department, we will have to engage with our staff in the province. We must ensure they observe the clause of confidentiality. People should be confident in and trust our facilities."

"They raised the matter that when they go to the clinic or health facilities, their status is known all over. They blame our professional staff, which is mainly nurses. So, it's quite a challenge that we'll have to tackle head-on and the only way to tackle it is to engage with our professionals, our nurses. They must [comply with] their oath, to respect confidentiality and not to throw it in the public because it's wrong and also illegal," he said.

Lekwene further stated the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and challenged the youth to observe their diet and exercise so they can live longer. He also called on young people to be responsible to avoid illnesses such as STDs, STIs, HIV and Aids, also avoiding illegal abortions.

OFM News