MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko: State of readiness for Gauteng festive season

We have demonstrated our commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved regions, by expanding the number of Community Health Centres (CHCs) offering 24-hour services. From 36 in the 2021/22 financial year, we've increased this number to 38 in 2022/23.

This expansion is a significant step in our strategy to provide round-the-clock healthcare access, especially for those in remote or less served areas. These 24-hour CHCs are crucial not only for delivering immediate medical care but also serve as an essential part of our healthcare network, providing both preventive and primary care services.

We have also deployed 13 700 Ward Based Outreach Teams, consisting of Community Health Workers to widen our reach in the provision of health services. In the past year, these teams have conducted 680 000 initial household visits and over 3.5 million follow-up visits. Their critical role in community health screening and education has been instrumental in our efforts.

Recognising that access to healthcare is a basic human right, every week our mobile clinics visit hostels, informal settlements and townships to provide health screening services to our residents.

Surgical backlogs

In a bid to reduce surgical backlogs in Gauteng hospitals, we have declared war against surgical backlogs by introducing what we call surgical marathons on a monthly basis.

As of June 2023, the department’s surgical backlog was sitting at 37 000 and we have been able to reduce this to 50% by November 2023. The department is chasing a moving target due to the fluctuation in the surgical procedure numbers. However, we are making inroads as we have been consistently performing surgical marathons on a monthly basis and the process has also benefited health practitioners in terms of building capacity and skills transfer.

Patient experience of care

A month ago, in November, we officially launched the "I Serve with a Smile" campaign — a movement that, is built upon the principles of Batho Pele, aimed at infusing our healthcare system with warmth, compassion, and a renewed commitment to the public service. This is part of efforts to improve the patient experience of care and restore the once-renowned reputation of our healthcare system.

Through this campaign, we want to create a culture of empathy and compassion that permeates every aspect of our healthcare delivery. As healthcare workers, each one of us has the responsibility to create an environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported whenever they visit our facilities.

Accelerated delivery of our public health infrastructure

Ladies and gentlemen, in the past year we have made strides to ensure that we improve our public health infrastructure either through the refurbishment of old facilities or through building new ones.

A number of newly built state-of-the-art clinics including Sebokeng Zone 17 in Sebokeng, and Finetown clinic, South of Johannesburg, have been officially handed over to communities who now have access to a range of health services.

The newly built Phillip Moyo Community Healthcare Centre’s Midwife Obstetrics Unit in Daveyton offers maternal health services which include antenatal and postnatal care, midwifery and obstetrics, and counselling on choice of termination of pregnancy amongst others.

We have also begun strengthening our efforts in bringing critical and specialised healthcare services closer to our communities. Together with our partners, we have opened the Zola Wits Dental Clinic to bring dental services to the residents of Soweto.

We have also prioritised the expansion of our service offerings to vulnerable communities such as Key Populations groups (sex workers, persons who inject drugs, inmates and members of the LGBTQI+). On November 24, we launched the first ever Key Population friendly service centre in Sedibeng District as part of our efforts to lead to the reduction of HIV and STI infections among this group.

A week ago, I was in Carletonville to open a 24-hour Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS) centre at Carletonville Hospital to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to combatting one of the most pressing and pervasive human rights issues of our time, that is gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. Today, victims and survivors of GBV, rape and sexual assault can now access the much-needed services such as medical and nursing services, social work and psychological services in a single- secure location.

Mental health

In a bid to increase resources for the rehabilitation of mental healthcare users in Gauteng, we have opened a 21 bedded Psychiatric Admission Ward at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital to provide the much-needed relief to the hospital as it continues to service the growing number of patients presenting with mental health disorders.

Already, a number of Gauteng facilities have been refurbished while others are undergoing refurbishment to ensure an addition of 206 acute mental health beds by the end of the 2023/24 financial year. These hospitals include Bertha Gxowa, South Rand, Tshwane District, Tembisa and Dr George Mukhari Academic. Currently the province has an increased number of over 2 000 acute mental health beds.

As part of continuing measures to strengthen mental health care in Gauteng, I have since appointed new members to serve in the province’s five district-based Mental Health Review Boards (MHRB) for the next three years (01 December 2023 to 30 November 2024).

Members of the media, we will continue to accelerate renovations and maintenance of our facilities across the province. Refurbishments of our hospitals such as Tambo Memorial Hospital, Tara Hospital, Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Hellen Joseph, Kopanong

Update on state of readiness for the festive season

Ladies and gentlemen, the festive season is upon us and it is imperative that we provide an update on the readiness of the Gauteng public health system to meet the anticipated demand for health services during this festive season.

We have taken proactive measures to ensure adequate staffing levels, allocation of the necessary resources and equipment needed to serve our residents during this busy season of the year. We have put measures in place to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across all our facilities to handle any incident that might require health response especially trauma related incidents.

Access to health services (hospitals and clinics)

• Our primary healthcare centres (PHC) will remain open to render services to communities. No one should be turned away under the guise that we are responding to emergencies. PHC facilities will continue running normal operational hours depending on the level of care.
• All our hospital’s accident and emergency departments and trauma units have put in place contingency measures to swiftly respond to any related cases. Of course, we must plead with communities to stay safe and avoid risky behaviour that might lead to them ending up being rushed to our hospitals for emergencies and trauma caused by avoidable accidents.
• Our medical supply depot will remain open and fully resourced on the core business side to ensure that we always have availability of medicines and consumables.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

• We often see a rise in demand for EMS during this period of the year due to increased travel, holiday activities and festivities taking place across the province. These activities can lead to an uptick in road accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies.
• Our well-trained Gauteng EMS professionals are prepared to respond to emergencies promptly and efficiently. They will be on high alert to improve our response time to emergencies and transportation of patients across healthcare facilities.
• We have deployed a fleet of emergency vehicles to enhance the EMS response during the festive season. A total of 1 820 vehicles will be strategically stationed across all five health districts in the province to provide swift medical assistance to our residents. These include Ambulances, Planned Patient Transport, Disaster, Armoured violent incidents Ambulance, Special rescue vehicles, Primary Response Vehicles and logistical support vehicles.
• MS personnel will also be deployment at the South African Police Service Command Centres across the province. They will equally be part of the various festive season safety operations.
• We call on communities to not abuse emergency lines to make prank calls. Our EMS Communication Centre usually receives an increase in false emergency calls which keeps services away from the real emergencies.
• We continue to call on communities to protect our health workers including the EMS paramedics as they will be rendering critical services during this period.

Forensic Pathology Services

• The department has made contingency plans to ensure seamless operations to service our communities throughout the festive season so that those that need to bury their loved ones can get the assistance they need.
• All our 11 Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) offices will remain operational throughout the festive season. A total of 72 FPS vehicles including two disaster response trucks have been deployed to ensure smooth operation across all five health districts in Gauteng.
• All operational staff at all the 11 FPS including 62 pathologists will be on duty throughout this festive period.
• In addition, all 27 Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS) Units in Gauteng will be operational during the festive season. These units play a critical role in providing forensic medical examinations and support to victims of crime including support to the police in dealing with drunken-driving incidents.

Communicable Disease Outbreaks (CDC)

• In addition to the readiness measures outlined, the Gauteng Department of Health will maintain a heightened level of surveillance systems to effectively monitor and respond to potential communicable disease outbreaks during the festive season.
• The department recognises the importance of early detection, rapid response, and effective coordination to prevent and control the spread of diseases. To ensure a quick response to any reported outbreaks at the respective health districts, our dedicated staff will be working throughout the festive season. These includes officials responsible for respective thematic areas, such as CDC, surveillance, health promotion, environmental health, among others.

Safer Festive Season Public Health Messages

• Food safety tips

As we come together to celebrate with our loved ones, it is vital that we prioritise our safety and take proactive measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones. In the African tradition, the festive season is often accompanied by indulgent feasts and culinary delights. However, it is essential to ensure that the food we consume is safe and free from harmful bacteria. Proper food handling, storage, and preparation are critical to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Let us remember to wash our hands thoroughly before handling food and avoid cross- contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods. In addition, it is important to refrigerate leftovers to avoid bacterial growth. By adhering 

to these food safety practices, we can safeguard our health and enjoy the festivities without any concerns.

• Malaria prevention tips

Malaria is a preventable, treatable, and curable disease that affects all people including babies, young children, pregnant women and elderly people who are categorised as highest risk groups. The department wishes to urge all those travelling to and from malaria endemic provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu- Natal and countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Ethiopia and Nigeria to visit their nearest health facilities for malaria chemoprophylaxis before visiting these areas.

However, it is important to mention that all travellers including those from non-endemic areas and countries are also vulnerable to malaria. We therefore encourage all travellers to use personal protection such as wearing long-sleeve and long trouser clothing and socks in the evening; use of deet-based mosquito repellents, and fans or air-conditioners where possible.

Visit your nearest health facility within 72 hours immediately if you experience any malaria-like symptoms such as fever, body pains, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache. Remember to take your treatment correctly as directed by the health care worker and always complete your treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria reduces severity and prevents deaths. If malaria is not treated early, it can progress to severe illness or death.

• Practicing safe sex

While celebration and joy are in the air, it is important to remind people to prioritise sexual health. All our healthcare facilities have ensured sufficient provision of condoms and contraceptives which are crucial in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. It is equally important to get tested regularly for STIs, as early detection can lead to timely treatment and prevent further spread. I urge you all to have open and honest conversations with your partners about sexual health, and to seek medical advice and support when needed.

• Alcohol consumption

Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that during this time of the year, many of us attend social gatherings and celebrations where alcohol is readily available. While it is acceptable to have a drink or two, let us remember that excessive alcohol consumption can be dangerous to your health and is one contributors for car accidents and shootings or stabbings due to the violent behaviour that people present after abusing alcohol. I want to plea with all adults to avoid exposing children to alcohol. Do not send children under 18 years to buy alcoholic drinks, such a habit could introduce them too early to alcohol consumption. Know your limits and drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

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