Thank you for the opportunity to talk to the people of Gauteng about the programme of action for the department of health and social development.
As you all know, this is my third week in this department and this period I have had the opportunity to interact with the management and to make an assessment of how the department is working.
My impression is that the department is making good progress towards the achievement of the goal of a healthy life for all South Africans. However, there are areas that need to be strengthened.
Financial management is one critical area that, in my assessment, needs to be improved. You all know that the health overspent its budget in the last financial year and there was an under expenditure in the social services division.
The over-expenditure has been attributed to increased costs of medical supplies, laboratory costs, and the costs of blood and blood products. Overtime payments and the implementation of the occupation specific dispensation for doctors and nurses are some of the contributory factors.
We are now putting in place measures to contain these costs. Hospital managers have to closely manage the ordering of laboratory tests, blood products and the payment of overtime.
Delegations for the appointment of staff at hospital level will be withdrawn. Hospital managers will from now be required to motivate the need for additional staff to the head of department who must apply her mind, explore alternatives and advise accordingly.
We are also in the process of establishing an internal audit team that will identify risks and help us to put in place measures to minimise them.
On the social services division side, we have to prioritise the filling of vacant posts. This division was unable to spend its budget last year because of these vacant posts and we therefore have to make sure that we take measures to avoid a repeat of that situation.
Another area that will be receiving my urgent attention is the strengthening of primary health care. When I was at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital last week, I saw how that hospital was under pressure from patients who should be receiving treatment and services at primary care facilities.
I think that the completion of Jabulani/Zola Gateway clinic will assist. The construction of this clinic has now been completed. Currently equipment, furniture, data cabling and telephones are being installed. The clinic will be fully operational early next year.
I have also been informed that the construction of the new Jabulani/ Zola and Natalspruit hospitals are progressing well and construction is set to be completed by November 2011. The construction of the new Germiston hospital is complete and awaiting equipment.
I am certain that once these facilities are operational they will be able to alleviate pressure from Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital and lead to improved health care delivery. Work is also underway for the replacement of laundry machinery and equipment at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, Masakhane and Dunswart laundries. This will ensure a quick turnaround in the washing and distribution of linen to hospitals.
I have been impressed by the work done to prevent illnesses and promote a healthy lifestyle. Through the HIV counselling and testing (HCT) campaign, the department has managed to test 909 076 people from April to September. The number of people on anti-retroviral treatment has increased from 303 677 to 330 692. The HCT campaign will be scaled up in the build up to World AIDS Day with visits to industrial areas, informal settlements and shopping malls.
The abuse of drug substance and drug trafficking will also receive my attention in the coming days. The department has embarked on a community mobilisation campaign in the form of door to door visits to educate the public about dangers of substance abuse and services available to those addicted to drugs already. The campaign which started in September 2010 will culminate in a national summit which will be held from 8 to 10 December 2010.
The department also plays a crucial role in the administration of justice especially in cases involving children. In the last quarter (July to September) 593 children in conflict with the law were referred to diversion programmes and 392 were placed in home based care supervision programmes.
These programmes do not constitute an exhaustive list of all areas I will be devoting my energies to. They are area that I think require immediate attention if we are to succeed in building Gauteng as a province fit for children and to achieve the goal of a long and healthy life for all.
I thank you.
