Gauteng Health awards more than R32 million in pharmaceutical contracts
In a drive to curb the shortage of medication in public health facilities across the province, Gauteng Department of Health has awarded contracts worth more than R32 million to two pharmaceutical companies.
The twenty four months contracts includes the distribution of pharmaceuticals from the Medical Supplies Depot to Gauteng Department of Health institutions as well as the supply and distribution of pharmaceutical items from suppliers to the Gauteng department of health institutions.
The deliveries are done twice a week to four central hospitals and once a week to three tertiary hospitals, six regional hospitals, 33 district hospitals, 77 Primary Health Care clinics and Community Health Care centres, 12 Emergency Medical Services facilities and five district pharmacies
“Each of the trucks has a real time tracking device monitoring the movement of the truck throughout its route to ensure no deviation from the scheduled trip. The trucks are enclosed to protect stock from weather effects they are lockable with a tamper proof locking mechanism and bolt seals with serial numbers, said MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
The trucks have a scanning system to scan and track each and every rolltainers in the trucks. This linking mechanism is used to monitor accurate handover of stock to the institutions and the return of the rolltainers to the depot. The system provides a real time traceability report of the trolleys thus assisting with asset management.
Suspension of officials
To reduce misconduct in the workplace the Gauteng Department of Health has suspended eighteen officials since July 2016.
Of the eighteen, six were charged with participation in an illegal strike, the remaining twelve were charged with falsification of records, disregarding safety rules, gross negligence fraud and corruption.
Positions of the suspended officials range from laundry worker to a Director and in three of the cases, criminal charges were laid. Investigations are underway.
Commenting on the matter, MEC Qedani Mahlangu said “The department views these transgressions in a serious light. Lack of integrity feeds corruption and tarnishes the image of the department. The Department cannot allow for such because public healthcare is the only hope for the majority of people who cannot afford private healthcare”.
Staff vacancies at Bertha Gxowa hospital
Furthermore, to ensure access and improved delivery of quality health care in the province, Bertha Gxowa hospital in Germiston, Ekurhuleni uses the walk-in application systeme to enable quicker turnaround time.
The hospital which comprises of a total of 766 officials has seen the reduction in staff with four deaths of officials due to ill health, three retirements, four transfers to other health institutions in the province and six resignations for further training and specialization in various medical fields however this has not comprised patient care at the hospital.
“There is no negative impact on patient care as recruitment process is undertaken as soon as possible. As part of the retention strategy, there are compulsory debriefing sessions for staff in the maternity section where there is a very high turnover of midwives”, said MEC Mahlangu.
For more information please contact Spokesperson, Steve Mabona on 072 574 3860
