Ambassador of South Africa to the Philippines Agnes Nyamande-Pitso yesterday said it is important for government to ensure that medicines are affordable throughout the whole spectrum of society from the rich to the poor.

“Because, without a healthy community, you cannot have a healthy economy,” Nyamande-Pitso, who was special guest of honor at the Cebu Institute of Medicine Alumni Association dinner symposium at the government center last night, said.

She said there is a link between development, economy and health in society.

Nyamande-Pitso said that in South Africa, they also have both government and private hospitals, and that government hospitals usually service people who do not have much resources, whereas private hospitals are for those who have the resources.

When asked about her opinion on the proposed corporatization of government-owned hospitals, the Ambassador said she has nothing against it if it is going to assist in making health care affordable. If not, she said, “The whole point is to make health accessible and affordable.”

Meanwhile, Nyamande-Pitso said the job of an Ambassador is to improve the relations of two countries in the areas of trade, investment and tourism.

She said she came to support South African companies like Aspen Philippines, since that is her job in government, as well as to bridge the gap between the two societies and develop mutual, beneficial business and trade and investment.

The Ambassador paid a call last night on Mayor Evelio Leonardia who invited her to the MassKara Festival.

Nyamande-Pitso obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa, Masters degree in Agri Science from Reading University in the United Kingdom.

She has a Management Advance Program certificate from Witwatersand University. An MBA from U21 Global (Singapore) and is currently enrolled for a Doctoral in Business Administration with the Swiss Management Centre.

She is an educator, a development worker and business person turned diplomat. She joined the diplomatic service where she was appointed Consul-General to Dubai, UAE from 2005-2009.*CGS

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