The Gauteng Department of Health has spent more than R10 million on new equipment for Dr George Mukhari Academic hospital in Tshwane. A further R2,3 million worth of equipment has been ordered for Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital.
The includes cardiac monitors, thorascopy sets, paediatric bronchoscopy, lapascopic camera sytem, blood warmers and others.
This is part of efforts by the department to improve the quality of health care and ensure that hospitals are able to deal with an increased demand for services.
The two hospitals attended to more than 1.5 million patients at their outpatients department last year. They also conducted 42 518 operations (28 230 for Charlotte Maxeke and 14 288 for Dr George Mukhari) in the same period.
Charlotte Maxeke has also been assisted to employ about 250 nurses, doctors as well as administration and support staff. The majority of the new employees were nurses (150) and doctors (56).
The MEC for health in the province, Hope Papo has undertaken to all hospital with staff and equipment in a staggered manner focussing on priority areas.
“This is part of our efforts to improve services to patients and improve the functioning of all hospitals. All hospitals are under instruction to improve the attitude of staff, ensure cleanliness, improve waiting times, patient safety, infection control and availability of medicines and equipment” Papo said.
Attention has also been given to Steve Biko and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic hospitals. The appointment of anaesthesiologists and nurses at Steve Biko has been fast tracked to ensure the re-activation of three theatres and intensive care units.
About 7903 operations were conducted at Steve Biko up to March this year and the hospital attended to 601 403 out-patients.
Chris Hani Baragwanath recently appointed 141 nurses, four pharmacists, 20 cleaners, 10 porters and 10 security officers. The capacity of the neonatal intensive care unit has been increased to improve care for very ill children with low birth weight.
The hospital conducted 2 680 operations in 2011 and attended to 495 380 patients at its out-patients department.
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
