By Simon Nare
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Social Services has described Gauteng health facilities as underfunded and in a deteriorating condition, which poses a serious danger to patients.
The committee revealed following an oversight visit to the province that it had identified inadequate funding as one of the root causes of the many problems plaguing hospitals.
It pointed out that for a province that has 504 public facilities to maintain, it was only allocated R2 billion in total funding.
“This allocation equates to under R2 million for maintenance per facility. The committee expressed the view that the amount was insufficient for the upkeep of essential healthcare infrastructure,” the committee said in a statement.
During the visit it found that many facilities were struggling to maintain operational standards, leading to deteriorating conditions which may compromise patient care and safety.
Committee chairperson Desery Fienes said the picture that was painted by the appalling conditions were concerning and called for immediate attention and adequate funding.
The committee found infrastructure challenges were evident across numerous facilities.
Challenges were noted at health facilities such as Jubilee District Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Tambo Memorial Hospital, which were grappling with aging infrastructure.
The conditions in these hospitals required urgent repairs and upgrades and appropriate health and safety standards, said the committee and stressed the need for immediate action to address these infrastructural deficits to ensure that the provision of healthcare services to communities is not compromised.
“Moreover, the committee’s findings underscored the detrimental effects of budget cuts and the misallocation of funds on infrastructure projects and the provision of essential health services.
“Committee members noted that projects suffered due to financial constraints and poor project management practices, leading to compromised healthcare delivery in under-resourced communities.
“The committee highlighted the importance of safeguarding funding for health infrastructure and monitoring systems to avoid further deterioration of services,” it said in a statement.
The committee also identified significant delays in the completion of various construction and refurbishment projects.
For example, it noted that the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services was reported to be at 95% completion but faced delays due to project cost overruns. Similarly, the Randfontein Community Health Centre was only 76% complete, with uncertainties surrounding its estimated completion date.
A significant shortage of healthcare personnel across various facilities, with many hospitals operating below their required staffing levels was another worrying discovery by committee members.
“The shortage not only affects the quality of care provided to patients but also places additional pressure on existing staff. The committee calls for a strategic plan to recruit and retain skilled professionals (which include clinicians, porters and cleaners), emphasising the need for a sustainable workforce to support the province’s healthcare system,” said Fienies.
The committee raised serious concerns regarding the non-performance of contractors involved in infrastructure projects, urging the need for a robust system of consequence management for those who failed to meet their obligations.
“Members of the committee said that without such accountability, the likelihood of continued delays and financial mismanagement remains high, further jeopardising public healthcare infrastructure,” said the statement.
It recommended the establishment of hospital boards and clinic committees and encouraged the strengthening of stakeholder involvement in ensuring the provision of quality healthcare in facilities.
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