Today, MEC Hope Papo issued a stern warning to those "who are taking kickbacks leading to price hikes and delays in payments for suppliers" when he addressed senior managers in the Gauteng Health Department.
"This must come to an immediate stop! It is still puzzling that invoices disappear for periods of over two years and resurface when a supplier has taken legal action," said Papo making reference to a case of one supplier who was owed R34 000 for a period of over two years because one official had kept the invoice for no apparent reason.
MEC Papo was opening a two day performance review meeting held at Ann Latsky Nursing College, in Auckland Park, attended by managers of his department. In his opening address he expressed appreciation that the department is "moving away from the period of negativity to a period where there is progress towards better performance." He told managers that turnaround should also be seen and felt by patients when visiting health facilities.
The MEC decried the exorbitant prices that the department is paying for medical equipment and other services. "Gauteng Health leads in the procurement of medical equipment but we are still price takers. This can't be allowed to persist," he told managers. "People taking kickbacks are the main cause and also hamper our efforts to clear accruals."
Papo mentioned that the reason the department found itself under financial pressure in 2011 was mainly as a result of "wrong and reckless decisions and practices." He emphasised the need for the spirit and commitment to turn the department around to permeate all levels and sections of the department.
"Turning this department around will not be a 'Big Bang' event but a process that must be championed all staff members. While we performed well in the hospital audit, we must not lose sight of the fact that we performed badly on staff attitudes and cleanliness."
MEC Papo congratulated managers for improvements in a number of areas such as in the antiretroviral therapy Programme and other services. However; he highlighted the need to improve in; early booking (before 20 weeks) for pregnant mothers, efficiency and proper functionality of clinic and district hospitals, Emergency Medical Services (ambulances), detainment of nursing personnel especially those with special skills such as advanced midwives, primary healthcare, etc.
"Improving efficiencies will result in better health outcomes and improved staff morale. While there is emphasis on fiscal turnaround, we cannot ignore improving the experiences of our people in health facilities. I therefore expect concrete plans to improve in the areas I have highlighted," concluded MEC Papo.
