Hospital
14 December 2006
The Gauteng Department of Health is grateful that the public and media are
concerned about health issues and that problems are raised in a public forum.
This also gives the Department the opportunity to comment publicly on the
policies and practices in the delivery of health services.
As is well known health services are provided within the budget allocated to
the Department. It is the responsibility of the Department to ensure that these
funds are used in a way that provides the greatest amount of benefit for the
largest number of people. Even in the most advanced economies, limits are
placed on health service spending so we need to accept that South Africa also
has to provide services within a defined budget.
In order to maximise benefits, the national Department of Health has
developed a 'medicines formulary' called the 'Essential Drug List' which
determines the minimum range of medication to be provided at the various levels
of care. The Gauteng Department of Health guarantees that all health services
provided by the Department will be able to provide all the drugs on these
lists. There are, however, additional medications which are required for more
complex conditions. These medications are obtained in the most cost effective
way and generic medications are used wherever possible.
It is well known that the Gauteng population is increasing rapidly.
Inflation and currency fluctuations also affect the buying power of the rand.
Because of these constraints, sometimes financial approval for the purchase of
medication is restricted at the level of the health. The Department insists
that patient care is the reason for our existence and that essential patient
care will not be compromised.
The situation at Tara Hospital has been reviewed and it was found that the
purchase of certain medications was restricted due to local financial controls.
The hospital management has given a clear undertaking that patient care will
not be compromised and that all essential medication and medicines required for
critical care will always be made available. At a departmental level funds for
this purpose are available.
For more information please contact:
Howard Ndaba
Cell: 082 334 9851
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
14 December 2006
Source: SAPA
