NEWS RELEASE                                                                                    15 November 2001

Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Technology, Minister Audrey van Zyl, commended the opening of the newest addition to staff skills and training development at Groote Schuur hospital. An in-house internet facility for staff, funded by Provincial Government aims at equipping all Hospital staff with the necessary skills to be computer literate.

Under the guidance of a supervisor, the new facility will allow both day and night staff to access the internet and hospital intranet, conduct personal online banking transactions, shop via the e-commerce facility. This facility will also enhance communication among staff and hospital management and is the tool to informing staff of developments at the hospital.

"As a leading hospital in the medical field in the province opening a facility of this nature is indeed a step in the right direction," said Minister Van Zyl.

"It does, however, sadden me that over so much of Africa, across our land and even in many communities in this great city, many do not have computer skills nor access to computers and all the good that this technological world might bring to them.

"This makes us all the poorer," said Minister Van Zyl.

"I believe that if we are to progress to reach our full potential as a society, everyone should have access to this wonderful technology and more importantly, access to the necessary basic computer skills training to work these magic keyboards and screens to best advantage.

"The new internet facility at Groote Schuur is a great step in the right direction. I look forward to this initiative taking root in not only our hospitals, but also other public institutions across our province," said Minister Van Zyl.

The facility will not only serve as an internet café, but during office hours it will also be used as a training centre for patients in the children’s ward and the day care facility. This will provide the youth with the necessary basic computer skills required to succeed in the work place.