According to the third quarter report, presented to the Gauteng Legislature today by Health MEC Hope Papo, the nurses have been trained to initiate anti-retroviral treatment in all sites in districts and hospitals. In addition 1 577 lay counsellors had their skills improved to be able to provide treatment, care and support.
These initiatives will assist the department to be able to introduce the new fixed dose combination (single dose) antiretroviral drug in April 2013. The introduction of the drug is expected to be phased in starting with new HIV positive patients and will improve adherence to treatment.
The report also showed that the department had spent R20.6 billion (76%) at the end of the third quarter against a budget to R27.1 billion. It had also made significant progress in the timely processing and payment of invoices. By the end of December 2012 payable invoices were valued at R437.8 million. This is an improvement of R1.6 billion when compared to the value of invoices that were awaiting payment at the end of December 2011.
MEC Papo said he was confident that “with the systems we have already put in place and are continuing to improve upon, we will close this financial year on a better note and start the 2013/14 financial year on a high note”.
According to the report, the department had managed to provide antiretroviral treatment to 656 622 adults and 39 527 children by the end of the third quarter. Forty eight percent of patients who are co-infected with TB and HIV were placed on treatment.
Notable progress has been made in reducing HIV transmission from mother to child. The number of babies testing positive to HIV at six weeks of birth has been reduced to 2.3% which is below the 3.6% national threshold. The nevirapine uptake by babies was maintained at 97%.
TB cure rate is at 83.3% and this is due to close working relations with laboratories, follow-up on outstanding results, on-going directly observed treatment support and tracing of defaulters. The number of people defaulting on TB treatment has been maintained below 5%.
The report showed that the department was making progress towards the attainment of the goal of a long and healthy life for all South Africans.
This is evident in the increase of the number of women visiting antenatal care clinic within 20 weeks of pregnancy. The 40% of women made these visits and to further increase this rate, Ward Based Outreach Teams and District Clinical Specialist Teams will work continuously to inculcate the culture of early bookings.
In an effort to reduce child mortality, immunisation coverage of all vaccines for children under one year has been maintained above the national target of 90%. This is was achieved through regular monitoring of correct management of vaccine stocks and cold chain management and the training of coordinators and surveillance officers on the expanded programme on immunisation.
There has also been progress in improving access to primary health care facilities. In the period in question, Chiawelo Community Health Centre has been added to the list of CHCs that offer 24 hour service. All complaints for PHC service users were resolved within 25 days.
The department said it had started a recapitalisation project to improve emergency medical service fleet and its management. Ambulances in the province are currently managing to respond to 88% of emergency calls in 60 minutes. To improve emergency care, the department had trained 775 doctors, nurse and allied professionals in basic ambulance assistance. More than 100 emergency care technicians were also trained at the department Lebone College of Emergency Care.
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