The Gauteng Department of Health has denied that R33m in unpaid supplier debt is forcing providers to restrict services to Odi District Hospital, or that patient care is being compromised at the Tshwane facility, reports The Citizen.
It said any such reports are “misleading”, and that “all services continue without interruption while patient care remains fully safeguarded”.
This follows previous allegations by DA Gauteng spokesperson for Health and MPL Madeleine Hicklin that a massive debt of R33m owed to suppliers had become untenable for those keeping the hospital running.
“Suppliers have begun cutting back on essential support after accumulating R33m in unpaid bills,” she had said, adding that “cut off from cash flow and facing payment uncertainty, service providers must scale back operations or withdraw entirely”.
The department conceded that the hospital had payment debts “totalling R32 274 684”, but argued that R29.6m was “in process and legally on track”.
“While the hospital has accruals totalling R32 274 684, a portion of R18 590 873 is already on approved payment proposals and R11 062 665 is within the legally prescribed 30-day payment period, meaning these obligations are being met in line with the financial regulations,” it said.
Suppliers remain
Despite withdrawal claims, the department said no suppliers had communicated “any intention to reduce or halt services and, as such, the hospital continues to operate without interruption”.
“All essential services, including linen availability, catering, medicines and medical equipment maintenance, continue as per normal,” it said.
“Emergency, surgical and mental health services also operate efficiently, with all patients accommodated appropriately.”
‘Vacancies under threat’
Hicklin alleged that the financial crisis was throttling the recruitment of 27 essential staff, and that with expansion plans also stalled, this under-resourced facility now faced little hope of short-term relief.
The department denied this, saying recruitment was under way, and that 18 of the 27 clinical and nursing posts were at an advanced stage of being filled.
“The remaining posts will be advertised in the next financial year should additional funds be available.”
Upgrades
It also reported that the hospital has recently undergone significant infrastructure upgrades, which included renovations to the male surgical ward, post-natal ward, outpatient department, emergency unit and staff and visitor facilities.
“Floors throughout the hospital had been upgraded and all service level agreements for medical equipment are fully in place,” it added.
Hicklin acknowledged the need for physical upgrades but stressed that they cannot substitute for institutional reform.
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