In an effort to ensure that the challenges of supplier payments are eliminated, the department is finalising the process of establishing a Health Processing Centre, said Gauteng Health MEC, Mr Hope Papo when tabling the department’s R28,4 billion budget for the year 2013/14 in the legislature this morning.
This initiative will not only ensure better budget management and that resources are allocated efficiently but will assist the department in its quest to eradicate wastage and ensure that the department complies with the injunction to pay suppliers within 30 days.
MEC Papo announced that as at 31st January 2013, the department had settled accruals to the value of R4.2 billion. These included commitments of the previous financial year which would have become payable in 2012/13.
“The department has settled approximately 99% of the total accruals that were owed. In this regard we have been having weekly payment runs since November 2012,” he said.
MEC Papo also emphasized that the department is continuing to review contracts for cost effectiveness against market prices and this includes those of Medical Supply Depot.
“Efforts to eradicate corruption have resulted in the dismissal of thirty three officials (including two Chief Directors and a Director) who we charged, disciplined, and found guilty of fraud related misconduct, " he said.
The MEC added that his department was able to collect revenue to the tune of R61,8 million from other government departments and R94 million from medical aid schemes in the 2012/13 financial year.
"We also collected R21,5 million from neighbouring provinces before the National Department of Health established a Task Team on how referrals from neighbouring or other provinces should be treated," said MEC Papo. The Road Accident Fund collection project with Alexander Forbes will be extended for another two years,” he added.
The MEC also announced that the department has purchased 100 ambulances which will be distributed equitably to municipalities to render emergency medical services. Of these ambulances, twenty are fully equipped Emergency Obstetric Ambulances.
"Apart from procuring more ambulances within the available budget, we will also ensure that we reduce the turn-around time for vehicle repairs and maintenance,” he said.
In his speech, the MEC also said his department is seriously concerned with the increased number of litigations for medical negligence against the department. The litigations are largely in the maternity units and measures such as re-training of staff on key protocols for proper patient management are in place to reduce these cases.
"I will soon appoint a panel to advise the department on litigation cases, management of Serious Adverse Events and strengthen compliance to procedures,” he said.
MEC Papo announced that his department is aware of lawyers who send out peddlers to tout patients and also steal patient files. In this regard, he said the department has instructed hospital CEOs to open criminal cases against those who steal government property and lawyers will also be reported to the respective law society. Addressing matters of quality improvement, MEC Papo reminded his staff that the majority of citizens have no alternative, they depend on public health services.
"We therefore have a duty to deliver quality health services where they are most needed,” he said adding however that Gauteng is facing an increasing public health funding gap and this is influenced by changing demographics and the epidemiological profile of our province.
MEC Papo concluded by thanking staff for their dedication which has seen the department reporting no over expenditure in a long time.
He said: "I have confidence in our staff at all levels to continue working very hard and smartly, to justify the second biggest budget allocation in Gauteng! We are working hard to obtain an unqualified and/or clean audit in 2014."
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