Delivered by the SayPro Royal Committee Deputy Secretary- Martha Keditlwaetse Moshoeshoe
Esteemed SayPro Leaders, Respected Health Professionals, Valued Community Members, and Honoured Guests,
Good day to you all.
It is a privilege to stand before you today as the Deputy Secretary of the SayPro Royal Committee on this important occasion — National Healthcare Decisions Day 2025. This is not just a day on the calendar. It is a declaration of dignity, choice, and empowerment for every individual in our communities.
At SayPro, we believe that true healthcare begins with respect — respect for life, for voice, and most importantly, for the ability of individuals to make their own informed decisions. As Deputy Secretary, my role is to support the systems that capture, protect, and uphold the voices of our people — not just in words, but in actionable records, policies, and service delivery.
On this day, we affirm that:
- Everyone has the right to understand their medical options
- Everyone has the freedom to express their healthcare preferences
- Everyone deserves access to information in a language and format they understand
- And everyone’s decisions should be documented and honoured, whether in a clinic, a hospital, or at home
Far too often, vulnerable groups — our elders, people living with disabilities, youth, and those in remote communities — are left out of important healthcare conversations. At SayPro, we are committed to ensuring that no voice is ignored, and no person is treated without clarity and consent.
This year, the SayPro Royal Committee has worked diligently to:
- Support awareness campaigns on the importance of advanced healthcare planning
- Promote easy-to-understand patient rights documentation
- Encourage health facilities to establish better decision-recording protocols
- And advocate for family involvement and community dialogue around healthcare decisions
Healthcare is not just a service — it is a relationship built on communication and trust. That relationship must be protected not only by health workers and families, but by our laws, institutions, and administrative systems.
Let today be a reminder that every individual should be empowered to say, “This is how I want to be cared for,” and to have that decision respected and recorded.
To our communities: You are not just patients — you are people with purpose, voice, and power.
To our healthcare professionals: Thank you for your care and for listening.
To our leaders and administrators: Let us continue to build systems that protect choice and prioritise human dignity.
Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day 2025 — a day of voice, value, and vision.
Thank you.
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