Masuku tables health budget vote
R50.8-billion has been allocated to the Gauteng Department of Health for 2019/2020.
A total of R50.8-billion has been allocated to the Gauteng Department of Health for the 2019/2020 financial year.
This was revealed as health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku tabled the Gauteng health department budget vote for health on Tuesday at the Gauteng legislature.
Ten hospitals and clinics, including three in Pretoria, stand to benefit from R1-billion tabled for infrastructure.
These hospitals include Dr George Mukhari, Mamelodi, Jubilee, Bhekhi Mlangeni, Tembisa, Thambo Memorial, Kopanong, Sebokeng ‘Comple’ and Thelle Mogoerane hospital.
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“The selection of hospitals is not solely based on worst performance, but on the potential of what an integrated, innovative and responsive health system in Gauteng can do,” said Masuku.
Masuku said research showed that access to health care was no longer much of a problem, but the quality was.
Improving primary healthcare is the backbone of the health system anywhere in the world, he said.
He said that improving staff morale at these hospitals and clinics will be a priority for the current financial year.
“Our staff works under challenging conditions,” said Masuku.
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“We have an obligation to make them feel appreciated; for this, we have allocated R3-million to our employee value proposition project.”
A further R600-million was set aside to secure the safety and security of patients and staff at hospitals and clinics.
Emergency medical services (EMS) will be allocated R49-million for fleet and maintenance, tracking and improving security features.
“Our priority on clinical services is about improving TB and HIV treatment, mental health services, accident and emergency services, mental and neonatal services, surgical and increasing 24-hour services,” he said.
Masuku said his department will reposition Gauteng Health over the next five years as an organisation that is “patient-centred, clinician-led and stakeholder-driven”.
“We have confidence that our renewal efforts will restore hope and produce progress,” he said.
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