Legislature
10 November 2006
The quality of health service delivery in Gauteng continues to improve as
the Gauteng Department of Health meets the growing needs of the people of the
province, says the MEC for Health, Brian Hlongwa.
Hlongwa will present the annual report of the Gauteng Department of Health
to the Health Portfolio Committee, at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on
Tuesday, 14 November 2006.
"The report provides a detailed account of the progress we are making," says
Hlongwa. We are committed to quality in delivery of health services and to
bring a comprehensive package of health services within easy reach of every
person in Gauteng.
The demand for health services in the province continues to grow. Patient
visits to primary healthcare facilities in Gauteng have increased from 10,4
million in 2002 to 14,1 million in the past year. This rise in demand can be
directly attributed to the success of the department's efforts to make
healthcare facilities more accessible to the population.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dedicated 2006 as the year to focus
on the global shortage in qualified medical staff. The Gauteng Department of
Health has introduced an ongoing strategy aimed at the recruitment, retention
and training of health professionals.
The total vacancy rate for professional nurses has declined from 36% in
2003/04 to 23% in the past year. Gauteng has set itself a target to double the
number of nurses graduating from training colleges by 2009, through an annual
increase of 20% per year.
"We continue the focus on improving the working conditions within the public
health sector," says Hlongwa. We recognise the fact that the quality of the
healthcare we provide to the people of the province depends on our ability to
recruit and retain qualified and dedicated health professionals.
Next week on 14 November 2006, Hlongwa will also present the annual Khanyisa
awards to employees of the department who have made the best contributions
towards quality healthcare in hospitals and facilities in the province.
The department is meeting the challenge of reducing waiting times for
patients at clinics and hospitals in Gauteng. Compared to a baseline study
conducted in 2005, hospital pharmacy waiting times have been reduced by 19% at
regional hospitals and 2% at district hospitals. The department now also
employs 68 queue managers at hospitals to assist patients and facilitate the
delivery process.
This situation is expected to further improve in the new year with the
introduction of new technology to improve queue management and streamline the
administrative processes at health facilities.
Refurbishment of pharmacies at the following hospitals was completed at a
cost of R40 million:
* Kopanong Hospital
* Pholosong Hospital
* Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital
* Edenvale Hospital
* Far East Rand
* Weskoppies Hospital
New pharmacies are also currently under construction at Helen Joseph,
Leratong and Tshwane District hospitals.
The department is on target in its commitment to build ten new clinics as
committed by the Premier in 2004. The following clinics were completed and
opened in the year under review:
* Soshanguve Block L Community Health Centre
* Stanza Bopape Community Health Centre in Mamelodi
* Stertford Community Health Centre in Orange Farm
* Ramokonopi Community Health Centre in Katlehong.
Work is in progress to complete clinics in Bophelong, Randfontein,
Bristlecone, Boikhutsong and Cullinan.
The Gauteng Department of Health this year increased its budget allocation
for HIV and AIDS programmes by 48%. The implementation of the comprehensive
care and treatment programme has grown markedly since its introduction in
2004.
A total of more than 350 000 patients have been assessed and 170 507 CD4
tests have been conducted. The number of patients on treatment increased
threefold to 41 795 during the past year of which 6 000 were children and the
number of facilities offering antiretroviral treatment rose from 23 in 2004/05
to 33 in 2005/06.
An extensive door-to-door campaign was conducted in partnership with
municipalities in Gauteng during World AIDS Day. During this campaign 12 000
volunteers visited 590 000 homes, reaching 1,7 million people with information
and education about HIV prevention, healthcare for people with Aids and support
for affected families and children.
To meet its commitments towards quality healthcare for the people of
Gauteng, the department has bought state-of-the-art equipment for several
hospitals in the province. Computerised Tomography (CT) scanners were installed
at the Tembisa, Leratong and Coronation hospitals. An amount of R922 million
was allocated in the departmental budget for capital projects, including
machinery and equipment.
The new Hand Unit which recently opened at Chris Hani Baragwanath, puts the
province among global leaders in the field of reconstructive surgery. The unit
performs more than 1 500 operations a year and boasts a world class team of
orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Hlongwa says the department is constantly trying to improve the quality of
healthcare delivery even further. The effective way in which the recent
outbreak of extremely-drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) was handled showed
that the department is able to respond effectively to sudden challenges and
emergencies.
Enquiries:
Vusi Sibiya
Tel: (011) 355 3503
Cell: 082 330 1085
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
10 November 2006
