By Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga Province successfully hosted the Tripartite Cross Border Health Committee Meeting that was held in Mbombela .
The meeting reportedly brought various partners to discuss means to strengthen healthcare access for cross-border migrants and mobile populations.
The Department of Health in Mpumalanga said the meeting was initially on 8 October 2025.
Other topics of discussion included focused on revisiting critical action points on maternal, neonatal, and child mortalities, and agreeing on clear short-, medium-, and long-term strategies with defined timeframes.
According to the Department of Health in Mpumalanga, these populations continue to be affected by key challenges including; late presentation for care, non-attendance at high-risk clinics, unbooked clients, language barriers, lack of proper identification, and incorrect residential information—factors that negatively impact maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes.
In her address during the meeting, The Chief Director Primary Health Care at Mpumalanga Departmemt of Health, Dr Cheryl Nelson, thanked the relevant partners for their collaboration and dedication, including International Organization for Migration South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique, Save the Children South Africa, as well as the Ministries of Health from Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“It was indeed a very fruitful and productive meeting as we continue working together to improve health outcomes across our borders, said Dr Cheryl Nelson, Chief Director Primary Health Care; Mpumalanga health.
