The Gauteng Health Department’s budget crisis is hurting hospital patients as waiting times increase, surgery is delayed, and there are even food shortages.
According to budget projections, they will run out of money in about six weeks as they will be short of R4.8 billion by the end of the financial year on 31 March 2025.
Hospital posts have been frozen and there is a freeze on new equipment as well.
I am increasingly dealing with patients who complain about delays due to staff shortages.
The following is a small sample of the current problems experienced:
• Two theatre lists a week are being cancelled at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital because half the posts for anaesthetists are empty.
• Unpaid companies have stopped supplying critical items needed for surgery at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital. Electricity was cut last month as City Power had not been paid.
• There are food shortages at the Weskoppies Hospital, which has also endured a power outage for more than two weeks.
• The orthopaedic clinic at the Helen Joseph Hospital has postponed all non-emergency surgery until the new financial year, so hip and knee operations will be further delayed.
The budget woes are due to abysmal management and massive corruption.
Outrageously, the one budget that won’t be spent in full is R261 million for radiation treatment to save the lives of cancer patients. This is after R250 million for cancer treatments was unspent and returned to Treasury last year.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi should fire Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Head of Department Lesiba Malotana, and ensure that competent and honest people run this department so that the well-being of patients is the highest priority.