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Quality of Health for the Citizens of Gauteng to Improve

13 June 2008

Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa addressed health challenges facing the people of Gauteng when delivering his department's 2008/2009 Budget in the Gauteng Legislature today.

The equitable share portion of this year's budget vote, R13.9 billion represents a 14.5% increase from the budget allocation of the 2007/2008 financial year. MEC Hlongwa said the new budget is designed to meet the priorities as set out in the Department's "Four Pillars of Quality Health Care", namely, the promotion of healthy lifestyles; the strengthening of existing services; the delivery of quality health services and providing effective leadership and management.
The equitable share portion will be allocated as follows:

  • Incorporation of new areas of service delivery after the recent demarcation of Provincial boundaries - R448 million
  • Inflation and baseline adjustments - R369.6 million
  • Chris Hani Baragwanath Public Private Partnership - R12.6 million
  • Provincialisation of Primary Health Care - R70 million
  • TB beds - R33.4 million (TB hospitals in Programme 4 and TB beds in District Hospitals Programme 2)
  • Primary Health Care - R12.6 million (Transitional funding for the Provincialisation)
  • GEMS - R66 million
  • Housing Allowances - R103 million  
  • Policy Adjustments (Emergency Medical Services and Human Resources - R312 million ).

Highlights of the MEC's speech include:

  • The Tuberculosis cure rate has increased from 65% in 2006 to 72% in 2007,
  • R581 million is going to be used to improve Emergency Medical Services,
  • By the end of the current financial year nine Community Health Centres will provide a 24 hour service,
  • A new Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital will be built to replace the existing one,
  • Patients will soon receive a Health Smart Card that contains vital medical history,
  • Antenatal HIV prevalence in Gauteng declined from 33.1% in 2004 to 30.8% in 2006, which suggests that the prevalence of HIV might be stabilising in the province. 
  • In creased investment in Maintenance and Infrastructure of health facilities
  • Increased Investment in Training.
  • At 11 Community Health Centres, modern technology ceiling X-Ray units have been installed.
  • In keeping with the department's pledge to expand access to Primary Health Care, MEC Hlongwa said we the department will officially open seven clinics (Phedisong 4 Clinic in Ga-Rankuwa; Ga-Rankuwa View Clinic; Mandela-Sisulu Clinic in Phefeni, Soweto; Bristlecone Clinic in Orange Farm; Johan Deo Clinic in Sebokeng; Eersterus Community Health Centre; and, Dark City Clinic in Ekangala) by the end of this financial year.

In conclusion, the MEC said, "We remain committed to delivering quality health services to the people of  Gauteng . This commitment goes hand in hand with our efforts to improve the health status of our people through the promotion of healthy lifestyles."

Enquiries: Zanele Mngadi on 082 330 1148 or Phumelele Kaunda on 082 334 9851.

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health