Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
17 February 2025 | 19:15 CAT

Patients suffer as Treasury refuses to fund 1180 Gauteng hospital posts: DA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is demanding urgent action after National Treasury refused the Gauteng Health Department’s request for R291 million to fill 1,180 critical vacancies. This decision leaves thousands of hospital patients facing prolonged suffering due to severe staff shortages.

The department’s presentation to the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee last week revealed an ongoing crisis, with critical posts such as professional nurses, heads of departments, and unit heads remaining unfilled. “Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, for instance, doesn’t have a head of surgery,” DA’s Jack Bloom told Radio Islam International. “It is absolutely alarming that we lack proper clinical leadership in our hospitals.”

Despite the department’s urgent request for additional funds, Treasury rejected the appeal, citing extensive financial mismanagement, wasteful spending, and corruption within Gauteng’s healthcare system. The province’s health budget stands at R65 billion, yet the department is already facing a R4.8 billion deficit, with unpaid suppliers and hospitals struggling to maintain essential services.

“The real victims of this mismanagement are the patients,” Bloom stated. “People are waiting years for life-changing surgeries, only to have them cancelled due to a lack of air conditioning or clean linen. It’s intolerable.” The DA has called for the immediate dismissal of Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Head of Department Lucinda Malatji, arguing that new leadership is the only way to rectify the department’s failures.

Treasury’s decision was also influenced by the department’s failure to utilize allocated funds effectively. “There’s R261 million meant for cancer radiation treatment that won’t be spent this year,” Bloom highlighted. “Last year, R250 million for cancer patients also went unused. Treasury sees this and refuses to inject more money into a system riddled with inefficiency and corruption.”

As the National Health Insurance (NHI) debate continues, concerns grow over Gauteng’s ability to manage a significantly expanded public healthcare system. “If the province can’t manage its current health budget, how will it handle NHI?” Bloom questioned. “The only public health department with a clean audit report is in the Western Cape, while the rest are in crisis.”

The DA is calling on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to take decisive action to prevent the collapse of the province’s healthcare system. Without urgent intervention, the situation is expected to worsen, leaving patients to bear the brunt of the government’s mismanagement.

Listen to the full interview with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Jack Bloom on The Daily Round-Up.