Despite the state of its many unsafe hospitals, the Gauteng Health Department has failed to spend millions of rands that had been allocated for the implementation of health and safety infrastructure projects.
A total of R215m will now be surrendered by the department to the Provincial Revenue Fund, with the DA condemning “the incredible incompetence by the Gauteng Health Department” to fix its unsafe hospitals with the funds
According to the adjustment budget that Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo unveiled last week, the “delays in the implementation of occupational health and safety infrastructure projects causes a surrender of R214.7m to the Provincial Revenue Fund”, reports Politics Web.
This is despite the assessment that 19 out of 37 Gauteng public hospitals do not meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, said Jack Bloom, DA shadow minister of health.
Non-compliant hospitals include the following: Edenvale, Leratong, Yusuf Dadoo, South Rand, Far East Rand, Pholosong, Thelle Mogoerane, Mamelodi, Odi, Pretoria West, Tshwane District, Lenasia South and Heidelberg Hospital.
The department has blamed the underspending on the slow processing of invoices and the failure to create purchase orders for contracts.
Said Bloom: “The corrupt and incompetent Department of Infrastructure Development is to blame, as it rarely chooses decent contractors who finish the job in time and within budget.
“Meanwhile, patients and staff face the danger of unsafe hospitals. Former Premier David Makhura promised repeatedly to ‘turn around’ the Health Department, and Premier Panyaza Lesufi makes the same baseless promises.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Tambo Hospital declared ‘unfit’ but refurbishment plans on hold
Wits dental students complain about ‘inhumane’ working conditions
Charlotte Maxeke to fully reopen only in 2023 after ‘at least’ R1bn repair
Doctors back paediatrician’s account of Rahima Moosa collapse
Gauteng Health quashes claims new hospital beds lying in the sun at Bara
Unsafe, ageing Limpopo hospital sends laundry 30km away for washing