Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana visited Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital on May 26.

The site visit came after the public protector Kholeka Gcaleka released a scathing report on May 22, which citied maladministration and undue delays in repairs to the hospital after a major fire in April 2021.

According to the report, the fire badly damaged block 4 and the parking area of the hospital on April 16, forcing the hospital to reduce services, move patients to other facilities, and reduce outpatient figures from approximately 80 000 to 30 000 monthly.

Read more: Gauteng department of health denies allegations about Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital’s cardiology department

More than 2 000 beds were lost to the fire.

The problems identified included:

• The project faced ongoing problems from the beginning due to poor planning and ineffective co-ordination between the Gauteng department of infrastructure development, the implementing agent, the Gauteng department of health, and the client department. The two parties did not work together effectively, which created confusion and poor project management, and caused slow progress.
• The project plans did not follow the government processes, resulting in significant delays in obtaining approvals.
• The investigation found that a large portion of the allocated budget was not spent. Between 2021 and 2024, over R660m was set aside for the project, but approximately R324m was spent, which accounts for just over half of the allocated funds. The spending was poor in the 2022/23 financial year, when only 45% of the budget was spent.

Lesufi said it was unfortunate that departments that were expected to work together have not done so effectively.

Also read: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital launches child protection week campaign

“We will convene all relevant stakeholders and affected parties in one room to address this matter decisively and ensure that such delays do not happen again.

We have agreed to hold weekly meetings every Tuesday, to focus on planning and progress across all hospitals, as well as to monitor the implementation of the public protector’s recommendations.”

The DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Dr Jack Bloom, raised concerns about Motsoaledi and Godongwana not giving a date for the completion of fire compliance measures at the hospital.

“The big question is, where will the R1.7b be found to ensure the hospital is fully compliant with mandatory fire safety measures? It is unacceptable for patients and staff to continue to be exposed to fire risks.”

Also read: Gauteng shadow health MEC climbs into Charlotte Maxeke Academic Johannesburg Hospital for alleged high death rate in cardiothoracic department

He added that Lesufi remained silent on the appalling management failures and acute staff shortages that the hospital’s head of internal medicine, Professor Adam Mohamed, has denounced so bravely.

The public protector’s remedial actions included:

• Directing several officials and institutions to take concrete steps to remedy the situation, including:
• Preparing proper project and action plans to prevent future underspending,
• Disclosing underspending and submitting financial records for auditing, and
• Implementing consequence management against officials still in public service who contributed to the delays.

The report has also been referred to the auditor-general to ensure that all allocated funds are accounted for.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!