by Jack Bloom MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health
Gauteng hospital patients are placed in further risk as the Gauteng Health Department has frozen new equipment purchases in addition to the staff hiring freeze that has alarmed doctors.
According to a circular issued to all hospital CEOs on 8 October by Mr Lesiba Malotana, Head of the Gauteng Health Department, all procurement of machinery and equipment is deferred with immediate effect.
This is because the department “has incurred overspending within machinery and equipment on equitable share due to accruals payment as at end August 2024 and commitments made during the current financial year.”
This is bad news for hospitals which are already understaffed and lack critical equipment. Patients will suffer as surgery waiting lists will lengthen, and lives will be lost that could have been saved with adequate staff and equipment.
The department’s budget woes are due to chronic mismanagement and rampant corruption. The DA calls for a complete overhaul of the department’s top management. This should include the removal of Mr Malotana as Head of Department, who was recently appointed despite a SIU investigation into allegations he shared a R8 million bribe with two other officials.