In a quest to ensure access and the delivery of quality healthcare services in Gauteng’s public facilities, the department has appointed over 400 health professionals between April and June 2010.
The department has employed 19 medical doctors, 28 medical specialists, 270 professional nurses, 58 staff nurses, 27 social workers and 34 pharmacists. In addition, 500 community health workers have been trained by the department and are currently working in communities. Together, these health professionals are contributing extensively to the provision of appropriate quality health services in clinics, hospitals and health programmes.
In the last three months, the department has also deployed more than 1 900 health professional trainees to different health facilities in the province. These comprised of 388 medical interns, 235 medical community service doctors, 15 dental community service doctors, 424 allied health community service professionals, 48 pharmacy interns, 47 pharmacy community service professionals and 751 nurses.
In another initiative to increase the number of health workers, a total of 1 560 new nurses were enrolled in January 2010. Currently, there are 198 nurses in training at four universities and there are 1 362 nurses training at four nursing colleges. The planned intake for enrolled nurses this year is 408.
As a result of these appointments and initiatives, all community health centres have resident doctors and the majority of our clinics are supported by a doctor. The department has also seen an increase in the number of people who visit public clinics and community health centres. In the last financial year alone about 19 million people seek medical care and treatment in Gauteng’s clinics and community health centres.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
