B Hlongwa tabled Gauteng Health Budget Vote

5 June 2006

Gauteng Health MEC, Brian Hlongwa, today tabled a provincial health budget
of R10,4 billion in the Gauteng Legislature.

Delivering his first budget since his appointment in March 2006 Mr Hlongwa
said he does not believe in a “business as usual approach” to health issues in
the province. He wanted to establish from the outset the principle that the
needs of the public, the patients and the Department’s clients must come
first.

“We have to evaluate and critique our services constantly from the
perspective of the elderly gentleman waiting patiently in the queue to receive
his medicine; from the victim of a shooting incident about to receive emergency
attention; from the expectant mother preparing for the birth of an infant and
through the eyes of a young child about to be immunised.”

Mr Hlongwa said his initial experience is that there are many aspects of
service delivery in the Department that should be praised. He paid tribute to
the large number of health professionals who are “doing extra ordinary things
under very ordinary circumstances.”

However, it is also true that some drastic changes will have to be made to
ensure that Gauteng can deliver on its objectives of a “people centred” health
system.

“In many instances we can make profound changes by merely modifying existing
practices and procedures. I don’t believe in throwing money and budgets at
issues that can be resolved through simple common sense, commitment to duty and
decency.”

Mr Hlongwa said it is unacceptable for sick patients to wait in long queues
to receive medical attention or to tolerate unhygienic conditions in provincial
hospitals. “We don’t need extra budgets to ensure that patients are treated
with respect and adequately informed about the nature of their ailments and the
treatment that is prescribed. These are basic, non-negotiable elements of any
health care facility.”

In the coming year the Department will continue to have a strong focus on
child and maternal health issues. “We will have to redouble our efforts to
strengthen the health status of women and to improve our capacity to deal with
issues of gender violence, physical abuse and sexual assault. I have no doubt
that improvements in the health status of women, children and the elderly will
have a ripple effect throughout the entire health system,” he said.

Referring to the province’s management and treatment programme for HIV and
Aids patients, Mr Hlongwa said more than 350,000 patients have been assessed
and over 41,000, of which 6,000 are children have commenced treatment.

In the coming year this will be expanded to hospitals, community health
centres and all sub districts. By the end of this year there will be 54
operational sites with an estimated 60 000 patients receiving anti-retroviral
therapy.

“The province’s total budget for HIV and AIDS is increased by 47,8 percent
to R515,4 million. This confirms our unwavering commitment to ensure that we
bring this epidemic under control,” Mr Hlongwa said.

According to Mr Hlongwa the Department’s drive to recruit and retain health
professionals is yielding positive results in that 2900 professionals joined
the Department in the previous year. This drive will continue in the coming
months with the target to recruit 2300 health professionals by the end of the
financial year.

Gauteng health budget 2006
Fast facts and figures:

* Budget of R10,4 billion tabled in Gauteng legislature by new MEC for
Health, Mr Brian Hlongwa, on 5 June 2006.

* 100 percent target has been reached for the implementation of the
prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and AIDS programme.

* More than 350 000 patients have been assessed for HIV and AIDS and over 41
000 including 6 000 children are receiving antiretroviral treatment.

* Perinatal deaths have been reduced from 37 per 1 000 to 30 per 1 000
during past year.

* Immunisation coverage stands at 83 percent with objective to raise it to
90 percent in coming year.

* A total of 1 784 crèches are funded to provide nutrition to children and
53 216 children were fed through the school nutrition programme.

* 77 603 women were screened for cervical cancer and 7 649 for breast
cancer.

* The budget for HIV and AIDS has increased by 47,8 percent to R515,4
million.

* Budget for psychiatric hospitals has been increased by 4,9 percent to R488
million.

* Patient visits to primary health care facilities in Gauteng has increased
from 10,4 million in 2002 to 14,1 million in 2005/06. After hour treatment is
now available in 75 percent of sub districts.

* New primary health care facilities will soon be opened at Boikhutsong in
Soshanguve, Bophelong in Atteridgeville, Eersterus, Bekkersdal, Hillbrow CHC,
Eldorado Park, Cullinan Community Health Centre and the Johan Deo clinic in
Sebokeng as well as the Mamelodi District Hospital.

* R362 million will be allocated towards emergency health services.

* R944 million has been allocated towards capital projects including
machinery and equipment.

* The new Pretoria Academic Hospital has been commissioned and will be
officially opened during the second quarter of this financial year.

* A new oncology unit is being constructed and equipped at a cost of R178
million at the Johannesburg Hospital that will provide cancer treatment for the
population of Gauteng as well as surrounding provinces.

Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
5 June 2006