Honourable
Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Premier, Dr Zamani Saul
Fellow Members of the Executive Council
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Chairperson and Members of the Portfolio Committee on Health
Mayors, Councillors
The House of Traditional Leadership
Chairperson and Members of the Provincial AIDS Council
Chairpersons and Members of the Hospital Boards and Clinic Committees
Head of Department and Senior M anagers in the Department of Health
Stakeholders and Personnel of team Health across the length and breadth of the Province
Representatives of Organised Labour in the Hea lth sector present,
Distinguished guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to present my maiden Health Budget Vote for the 2019/20 Financial Year. With this budget we will intensify efforts to improve the health of our people, particularly in the remote, rural and disadvantaged areas.

Madam Speaker, allow me to also join thousands of women and gender activists across the length and breadth of our country who continue to celebrate the strides attained by women in the struggle for liberation. Let me also acknowledge the path women have travelled and the challenges that still lie ahead, as the ANC government continues to address the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in society.

As the ruling party, we have no intention of failing our historic mission of build ing a united, democratic and prosperous nation, a nation of people who stand tall and dignified, proud of who they are in the global family of the human race.

The work of the preceding years since our democracy started, has shown that if you empower a wom an you are empowering a nation. Given the fact that hundreds of women for whom opportunities of employment remain an unattainable privilege, those of us who are occupying such positions in the public service must serve our people with utmost humility and t otal dedication. My simple definition is that as public servants we are the slaves of our people

Honourable Members, this year we have doubled our efforts towar ds improving the public health service machinery so that it meets its obligations to communities. If anything, the spirit of “Business Unusual” will apply to all individuals who carry the honour of being public servants.

Madam Speaker, since my appointment I have crisscrossed the province visiting both private and public health facilities, engaging with medical professionals, health stakeholders and community members with a view to receiving first hand information, and soliciting their direct inputs over and above the management handover reports. This province wide consultation has assisted me in understanding the depth of health care challenges, and it has shaped and 2 informed informed ourour newnew turnaroundturnaround strategystrategy thatthat seeksseeks toto bringbring stabilitystability inin thethe provincial health setting.

Madam Speaker, asas wewe celebratecelebrate thethe monthmonth ofof women,women, wewe areare trulytruly inspiredinspired andand elatedelated byby storiesstories ofof ourour NursingNursing PioneersPioneers suchsuch as,as, amongamong others,others, thethe latelate MmaMma AlbertinaAlbertina Sisulu,Sisulu, MmaMma CeciliaCecilia Makiwane,Makiwane, MmaMma BettyBetty Gaetsewe,Gaetsewe, MmaMma Matsepane,Matsepane, MmaMma Mokale,Mokale, MmaMma Thuntsi,Thuntsi, andand MmaMma Doyle:Doyle: theirtheir totaltotal dedication,dedication, courage,courage, commitment,commitment, compassioncompassion andand mostmost importantlyimportantly -- theirtheir dailydaily sacrificessacrifices inin buildingbuilding aa prosperousprosperous andand healthyhealthy nation.nation. WeWe havehave learnedlearned thatthat despitedespite theirtheir poorpoor backgroundbackground atat thethe time,time, theythey remainedremained cocommittedmmitted toto carecare forfor thethe sicksick eveneven thoughthough nursingnursing salariessalaries werewere veryvery low.low. ItIt isis thesethese livedlived experiencesexperiences andand thosethose ofof ourour communities,communities, frontlinefrontline staff,staff, medicalmedical andand alliedallied healthhealth professionalsprofessionals thatthat informinform thethe substancesubstance ofof thisthis budgetbudget vote.vote.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, allallowow meme alsoalso toto acknowledgeacknowledge mymy specialspecial guestsguests seatedseated atat thethe gallerygallery –– ourour selflessselfless andand dedicateddedicated retiredretired nurses,nurses, MmaMma Thupani,Thupani, MmaMma BillyBilly andand othersothers,, inin doingdoing soso wewe inspireinspire andand galvanizegalvanize allall ourour communitiescommunities andand stakeholdersstakeholders toto actact inin unison,unison, thatthat allall ofof usus musmustt rallyrally behindbehind aa visionvision ofof buildingbuilding aa modern,modern, growinggrowing andand successfulsuccessful NorthernNorthern CapeCape provinceprovince..
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, bebe assuredassured thatthat thethe 6th6th AdministrationAdministration inin HealthHealth willwill bebe markedmarked byby boldbold stepssteps inin thethe sanitizationsanitization ofof seniorsenior management,management, inin aa paradigmparadigm shiftshift thatthat willwill bringbring thethe revitalizationrevitalization ofof staffstaff andand thethe radradicalical transformationtransformation ofof managementmanagement practices.practices. TheThe perpetuationperpetuation ofof silosilo operationsoperations andand turfturf mentalitymentality continuescontinues toto putput atat riskrisk thethe efficiencyefficiency andand efficacyefficacy ofof ourour services;services; itit hashas ledled toto dysfunction,dysfunction, duplication,duplication, negligencenegligence ofof duty,duty, blurringblurring ofof reportingreporting lines,lines, andand oftenoften aa sensesense ofof entitlement.entitlement. AA meticulousmeticulous processprocess ofof changechange management,management, organisationalorganisational rere--alignmentalignment andand integrationintegration ofof servicesservices willwill bebe implementedimplemented toto eradicateeradicate thisthis phenomenonphenomenon onceonce andand forfor allall -- beforebefore endend ofof thethe currentcurrent financialfinancial yearyear..
In
In otherother words,words, itit isis mymy firmfirm opinion,opinion, thatthat ifif thethe managementmanagement ofof thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas gonegone reprobate,reprobate, thenthen itit mustmust bebe thoroughlythoroughly overhoverhauledauled inin orderorder toto allowallow forfor newnew thinking,thinking, andand toto injectinject newnew commitmentcommitment andand vigour.vigour. WeWe needneed managersmanagers whowho areare prudentprudent withwith statestate resources,resources, forwardforward--thinkingthinking andand solutionsolution--orientated.orientated. OurOur postureposture thisthis timetime aroundaround isis “Shape“Shape upup oror ShipShip out”out”!!
Honourable
Honourable Members,Members, thethe NationalNational HealthHealth ActAct providesprovides forfor thethe establishmentestablishment ofof ProvincialProvincial HealthHealth CouncilsCouncils asas structuresstructures feedingfeeding intointo thethe NationalNational HealthHealth Council.Council. TheThe importanceimportance ofof thethe ProvincialProvincial HealthHealth CouncilCouncil cannotcannot bebe overover--emphasized,emphasized, becausebecause thisthis isis thethe highesthighest consultativeconsultative forumforum withwith thethe mandatemandate ofof overseeingoverseeing healthcarehealthcare servicesservices inin thethe provinceprovince andand ensuringensuring thatthat allall ourour peoplepeople receivereceive fairfair andand equitableequitable healthcarehealthcare services.services.
At
At thisthis point,point, wewe areare gladglad toto saysay thatthat thethe CharterCharter ofof thethe ProvincialProvincial HealthHealth CouCouncilncil hashas beenbeen successfullysuccessfully finalized,finalized, andand thethe DepartmentDepartment isis nownow inin thethe processprocess ofof itsits approvalapproval
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, tthehe HealthHealth ActAct alsoalso providesprovides forfor thethe establishmentestablishment ofof advisoryadvisory structuresstructures toto supportsupport thethe strategicstrategic andand tacticaltactical imperativesimperatives ofof thethe organisation.organisation. IInn lineline withwith this,this, wewe havehave embarkedembarked onon thethe establishmentestablishment ofof aa HealthHealth AdvisoryAdvisory BoardBoard toto guideguide thethe DepartmentDepartment inin itsits transformationaltransformational undertakings.undertakings. TheThe fundamentalfundamental tasktask ofof thethe BoardBoard isis toto scrutinizescrutinize thethe rootroot causescauses ofof chronicchronic underunder--performanceperformance inin thethe DepartmeDepartment,nt, andand toto developdevelop thethe necessarynecessary interventionsinterventions toto addressaddress them.them. TheThe AdvisoryAdvisory BoardBoard willwill alsoalso bebe instrumentalinstrumental inin assistingassisting mymy officeoffice inin institutinginstituting consequenceconsequence managementmanagement measuresmeasures regardingregarding irregular,irregular, fruitlessfruitless andand wastefulwasteful expenditureexpenditure inin thethe Department.Department.
H
Honourableonourable Members,Members, it’sit’s “Business“Business Unusual”Unusual”!!
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Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, itit isis aa glaringglaring anomalyanomaly thatthat thethe NorthernNorthern CapeCape hashas upup toto nownow notnot approvedapproved aa ProvincialProvincial HealthHealth Bill,Bill, whereaswhereas otherother provincesprovinces havehave longlong promulgatedpromulgated theirtheir HealthHealth Acts.Acts. InIn orderorder toto addressaddress this,this, thethe DeDepartmentpartment isis drawingdrawing upup thethe DraftDraft BillBill inin preparationpreparation forfor itsits submissionsubmission toto thethe oversightoversight bodiesbodies forfor inputsinputs andand concurrenceconcurrence duringduring thethe coursecourse ofof nextnext year.year. TheThe HealthHealth BillBill willwill serveserve asas aa vitalvital regulatoryregulatory instrumentinstrument toto informinform andand guideguide allall healthcarehealthcare sectorsectorss onon thethe mandatorymandatory policypolicy shiftsshifts introducedintroduced byby thethe NHI,NHI, callingcalling forfor aa substantialsubstantial reconfigurationreconfiguration andand reorganizationreorganization ofof thethe healthhealth carecare system,system, andand mappingmapping outout aa radicallyradically differentdifferent wayway ofof fulfillingfulfilling ourour constitutionalconstitutional mandate.mandate.
Honourable
Honourable Members,Members, wewe witnewitnessss aa remarkableremarkable newnew eraera markedmarked byby thethe NationalNational HealthHealth Insurance.Insurance. TheThe NHINHI cancan bebe seenseen asas aa platformplatform toto educateeducate allall ofof usus onon thethe urgencyurgency ofof attainingattaining universaluniversal healthhealth care,care, wherebywhereby publicpublic fundsfunds areare pooledpooled inin orderorder toto provideprovide universaluniversal accessaccess toto qualityquality andand aaffordableffordable healthhealth servicesservices forfor allall SouthSouth Africans,Africans, basedbased onon theirtheir healthhealth needs,needs, andand irrespectiveirrespective ofof theirtheir socioeconomicsocioeconomic status.status.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, II hadhad thethe greatgreat pleasurepleasure ofof attendingattending thethe signingsigning thethe firstfirst--everever PresidentialPresidential HealthHealth CompactCompact lastlast month,month, aa CompacCompactt thatthat bindsbinds usus asas aa collectivecollective toto thethe commitmentcommitment ofof overcomingovercoming thethe challengeschallenges inin ourour publicpublic andand privateprivate healthhealth carecare systems.systems. ThereThere isis nothingnothing thatthat reinforcesreinforces thethe ThumaThuma MinaMina spiritspirit moremore thanthan seeingseeing government,government, healthhealth professionals,professionals, labour,labour, business,business, communcommunities,ities, academia,academia, statutorystatutory councils,councils, traditionaltraditional healthhealth practitioners,practitioners, publicpublic andand privateprivate healthhealth entitiesentities allall collaboratingcollaborating inin pursuitpursuit ofof aa commoncommon goal.goal. TheThe HealthHealth CompactCompact layslays downdown aa fivefive--yearyear roadmaproadmap forfor healthhealth systemssystems strengtheningstrengthening reformsreforms underunder thethe “9“9 pillarspillars towardstowards acceleratingaccelerating universaluniversal healthhealth coverage”.coverage”. HighlightingHighlighting TheThe followingfollowing ::
1.
1. AugmentAugment humanhuman resources;resources;
2.
2. EnsureEnsure improvedimproved accessaccess toto essentialessential medicines,medicines, vaccinesvaccines andand medicalmedical productsproducts throughthrough betterbetter management;management;
3.
3. EngagingEngaging thethe privateprivate sectorsector inin improvingimproving thethe access,access, coveragecoverage andand qualityquality ofof healthhealth serviceservices;s;
4
4.. ImproveImprove thethe quality,quality, safetysafety andand quantityquantity ofof healthhealth servicesservices providedprovided withwith aa focusfocus toto primaryprimary healthhealth care;care;
5
5 EngageEngage andand empowerempower thethe communitycommunity toto ensureensure adequaadequatete andand appropriateappropriate communitycommunity--basedbased care;care;
The
The PresidentialPresidential HealthHealth CompactCompact alsoalso underpinsunderpins ourour collectivecollective drivedrive toto deependeepen cooperativecooperative andand collaborativecollaborative governance.governance. Government,Government, workingworking togethertogether withwith itsits socialsocial partners,partners, isis eembarkingmbarking onon aa journeyjourney ofof radicallyradically reformreform ofof thethe healthcarehealthcare system.system. Currently,Currently, thethe healthhealth systemsystem operatesoperates asas aa ‘two‘two--tier’tier’ system;system; inin thisthis regard,regard, thethe HealthHealth CompactCompact hashas resolvedresolved toto rere--engineerengineer thethe outdatedoutdated modelmodel intointo aa unitaryunitary healthcarehealthcare systemsystem withwith aa fullyfully integratedintegrated andand seamlessseamless platformplatform ofof publicpublic andand privateprivate healthcarehealthcare thatthat willwill workwork towardstowards aa commoncommon goal.goal.
Honourable
Honourable Members,Members, wewe emphasizeemphasize thethe needneed toto exerciseexercise aa stricterstricter regulationregulation ofof services,services, notnot onlyonly inin thethe publicpublic sector,sector, butbut inin thethe privateprivate sectorsector asas well.well. TheseThese mattersmatters willwill bebe thoroughlythoroughly dealtdealt withwith inin aa twotwo--dayday NorthNorthernern CapeCape HealthHealth SummitSummit plannedplanned forfor midmid--OctoberOctober laterlater thisthis year.year. ThisThis SummitSummit willwill bebe thethe firstfirst ofof itsits kindkind inin manymany years,years, andand willwill alsoalso provideprovide aa suitablesuitable opportunityopportunity forfor thethe DepartmentDepartment toto introspectintrospect andand rere--calibratecalibrate itsits ownown systems.systems.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe govegovernancernance structuresstructures ofof thethe DepartmentDepartment havehave degenerateddegenerated overover thethe years,years, despitedespite allall effortsefforts toto empowerempower themthem inin implementingimplementing theirtheir mandate.mandate... AsAs aa result,result, governancegovernance structuresstructures showshow poorpoor commitment,commitment, manymany ofof themthem dodo notnot holdhold regularregular meetingsmeetings andand inin somesome instancesinstances havehave collapsed.collapsed. AsAs partpart ofof addraddressingessing this,this, wewe areare reviewingreviewing thethe statusstatus ofof allall governancegovernance structures,structures, andand puttingputting inin placeplace measuresmeasures toto ensureensure thatthat beyondbeyond induction,induction, governancegovernance structuresstructures areare properlyproperly trained,trained, monitoredmonitored andand heldheld accountableaccountable forfor theirtheir activities.activities. TheThe provincialprovincial inductioninduction andand trainingtraining willwill bebe completedcompleted beforebefore thethe endend ofof thisthis calendarcalendar year.year.
4
Our
Our commitmentcommitment toto savesave costscosts isis demonstrateddemonstrated byby ourour willwill toto embarkembark uponupon insourcinginsourcing aa numbernumber ofof servicesservices renderedrendered inin thethe Department,Department, suchsuch asas gardeninggardening services,services, securitysecurity servicesservices andand others,others, asas appealedappealed byby thethe HonourableHonourable Premier,Premier, DrDr ZamaniZamani Saul.Saul. TheseThese measuresmeasures willwill alleviatealleviate pressurepressure onon thethe EquitableEquitable ShareShare budgetbudget andand unlockunlock criticalcritical resourcesresources toto fillfill serviceservice deliverydelivery gapsgaps withinwithin thethe system.system.
Ensuring
Ensuring positivepositive outcomesoutcomes byby raisingraising lifelife expectancy,expectancy, reducingreducing thethe burdenburden ofof diseasedisease andand reducingreducing infantinfant mortalitymortality isis soso muchmuch moremore thanthan aa meremere healthhealth issue.issue. AA healthyhealthy provinceprovince isis aa successfulsuccessful province.province. Therefore,Therefore, thethe transformationtransformation andand effectiveeffective resourcingresourcing ofof ourour healthhealth systemsystem isis fundamentalfundamental toto ourour plansplans forfor buildingbuilding aa just,just, equitableequitable andand prosperousprosperous society.society. Indeed,Indeed, aa healthyhealthy populationpopulation isis thethe bedrockbedrock ofof ourour province’sprovince’s economiceconomic development,development, andand itit isis vitalvital forfor creatingcreating aa modern,modern, growinggrowing andand successfulsuccessful NorthernNorthern Cape.Cape.
In
In thethe wordswords ofof formerformer PresidentPresident NelsonNelson Mandela,Mandela, “Th“Thereere cannotcannot bebe peacepeace whilewhile ourour peoplepeople lacklack basicbasic socialsocial facilities,facilities, includingincluding basicbasic healthhealth care.care. ThereThere cannotcannot bebe peace,peace, whilewhile thethe overwhelmingoverwhelming numbernumber ofof doctorsdoctors andand medicalmedical facilitiesfacilities areare concentratedconcentrated inin areasareas accessibleaccessible onlyonly toto aa smallsmall sectionsection ofof thethe populpopulation.”ation.”
HUMAN
HUMAN RESOURCERESOURCE MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, healthhealth carecare isis humanhuman resourceresource driven.driven. HealthHealth professionals,professionals, nurses,nurses, midwivesmidwives andand supportsupport staffstaff areare corecore toto thethe attainmentattainment ofof universaluniversal healthhealth coveragecoverage andand thethe implementationimplementation ofof thethe NationalNational HealthHealth InsuranceInsurance system.system.
Honourable
Honourable members,members, sincesince thethe startstart ofof thisthis financialfinancial year,year, thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas appointedappointed 194194 healthhealth professionalsprofessionals inin differentdifferent categoriescategories ofof nursesnurses andand medicalmedical doctors.doctors. Furthermore,Furthermore, onon thethe 3030thth ofof JuneJune thisthis year,year, II extendedextended aa callcall forfor allall retireretiredd oror unemployedunemployed medicalmedical doctors,doctors, nurses,nurses, andand emergencyemergency medicalmedical practitionerspractitioners whowho stillstill desiredesire toto workwork inin thethe publicpublic healthhealth serviceservice toto bringbring forwardforward theirtheir CVsCVs toto ourour districtdistrict healthhealth officesoffices acrossacross thethe province.province.
In
In thisthis regard,regard, wewe greatlygreatly appreciateappreciate thethe posipositivetive responseresponse thatthat wewe havehave receivedreceived soso farfar fromfrom ourour medicalmedical professionals,professionals, andand wewe willwill workwork tirelesslytirelessly toto fightfight thethe plightplight ofof staffstaff shortagesshortages inin ourour facilities.facilities.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe absenceabsence ofof anan approvedapproved organogramorganogram hashas beenbeen detrimentaldetrimental toto thethe Department.Department. IItt hashas ledled toto arbitraryarbitrary appointments,appointments, fragmentation,fragmentation, duplicationduplication ofof functions,functions, redundancy,redundancy, andand blurringblurring ofof reportingreporting lines.lines. II wantwant toto confirmconfirm thatthat thisthis chronicchronic problemproblem isis beingbeing addressedaddressed aass wewe speak:speak: therethere isis aa fullyfully dedicateddedicated processprocess underwayunderway toto completecomplete tthehe organisationalorganisational structure,structure, andand ourour targettarget isis setset forfor itsits concurrenceconcurrence andand approvalapproval beforebefore thethe endend ofof thethe currentcurrent financialfinancial year.year. WhenWhen wewe returnreturn toto thisthis esteemedesteemed house,house, wewe willwill certainlycertainly bebe proudproud notnot toto havehave toto presentpresent thisthis mattermatter toto youyou again.again.
TRAINING
TRAINING ANANDD DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe ““NelsonNelson MandelaMandela –– FidelFidel CastroCastro CollaborationCollaboration ProgrammeProgramme”” hashas injectedinjected criticalcritical medicalmedical doctordoctor skillsskills intointo ourour healthhealth system.system. II amam veryvery proudproud toto telltell youyou thatthat inin JulyJuly thisthis yearyear eleveneleven medicalmedical studentsstudents fromfrom thethe NorthernNorthern CapeCape graduatedgraduated asas MedicalMedical Doctors,Doctors, atat aa ceremonyceremony heldheld atat thethe WalterWalter SisuluSisulu University.University. TheThe DepartmentDepartment alsoalso welcomedwelcomed 2727 medicalmedical studentsstudents backback fromfrom theirtheir studiesstudies inin Cuba.Cuba. TheseThese studentsstudents willwill nownow dodo theirtheir clinicalclinical trainingtraining rotationsrotations atat variousvarious MedicalMedical SchoolsSchools inin SouthSouth Africa.Africa. ThisThis willwill enableenable themthem toto sitsit forfor examsexams andand graduategraduate inin SouthSouth AfricaAfrica withwith locallylocally educatededucated finalfinal yearyear MedicalMedical students.students. FurtherFurther 3030 studentsstudents willwill sitsit forfor theirtheir finalfinal examsexams inin NovemberNovember 20192019 andand bebe conferredconferred withwith theirtheir medicalmedical doctordoctor degreesdegrees inin JuneJune 2020.2020.
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Madam
Madam SpeakerSpeaker,, tthehe DepartmentDepartment isis workingworking closelyclosely withwith thethe HealthHealth andand WelfareWelfare SETASETA toto implementimplement additionaladditional learnershipslearnerships inin HealthHealth CareCare Services.Services. ThisThis yearyear alone,alone, thethe DepartmentDepartment willwill placeplace 9090 PharmacyPharmacy AssistantAssistant Learners,Learners, andand 130130 CommunityCommunity HeathHeath CareCare WorkersWorkers acrossacross thethe distdistricts.ricts. TheThe DepartmentDepartment willwill alsoalso traintrain 9090 peoplepeople inin EndEnd UserUser InformationInformation TechnologyTechnology toto supportsupport thethe DistrictDistrict HealthHealth SystemSystem andand EmergencyEmergency MedicalMedical Services.Services.
It
It isis alsoalso mymy pleasurepleasure toto announceannounce thatthat beforebefore thethe endend ofof thisthis year,year, wewe willwill havehave anan intakeintake ofof 120120 nurnursingsing studentsstudents atat thethe HenriettaHenrietta StockdaleStockdale CollegeCollege ofof Nursing.Nursing. ThisThis willwill comprisecomprise of:of: -- 6060 NursingNursing StudentsStudents forfor thethe DiplomaDiploma inin NursingNursing -- 3030 MidwiferyMidwifery StudentsStudents forfor thethe DiplomaDiploma inin MidwiferyMidwifery and,and, -- 3030 BridgingBridging CourseCourse StudentsStudents Furthermore,Furthermore, inin JanuaryJanuary 2020,2020, thethe countrycountry willwill launchlaunch aa brandbrand--newnew NationalNational CurriculumCurriculum forfor Nurses.Nurses. ThisThis stepstep willwill requirerequire allall nursingnursing colleges,colleges, includingincluding thethe HenriettaHenrietta StockdaleStockdale NursingNursing College,College, toto obtainobtain accreditationaccreditation asas providersproviders ofof thethe newnew nursingnursing prograprogrammes.mmes.
Last
Last year,year, thethe EMSEMS collegecollege waswas accreditedaccredited toto traintrain 3636 personnelpersonnel toto thethe levellevel ofof IntermediateIntermediate LifeLife Support;Support; thisthis yearyear thethe accreditationaccreditation hashas beenbeen increincreasedased toto 54.54. TheThe coursecourse upskillsupskills thethe Department’sDepartment’s personnelpersonnel trainedtrained fromfrom thethe levellevel ofof BasicBasic LifeLife SupportSupport (or(or BLS)BLS) toto thatthat ofof IntermediateIntermediate LifeLife SupportSupport (or(or ILS).ILS). TheThe DepartmentDepartment isis alsoalso workingworking closelyclosely withwith thethe FreeFree StateState collegecollege toto traintrain twotwo EMSEMS ofofficersficers atat thethe levellevel ofof EmergencyEmergency CareCare TechnicianTechnician (a(a twotwo--yearyear certificate).certificate). TheThe mediummedium--termterm planplan isis toto workwork towardstowards accreditingaccrediting ourour collegecollege toto provideprovide thisthis coursecourse locally.locally.
The
The DepartmentDepartment willwill alsoalso bebe puttingputting 100100 EMSEMS personnelpersonnel throughthrough thethe “Essential“Essential StepsSteps inin thethe ManagementManagement ofof ObstetricsObstetrics Emergencies”,Emergencies”, knownknown asas ESMOE.ESMOE.
Thus,
Thus, thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas twotwo trainingtraining collegescolleges thatthat areare positionedpositioned toto playplay aa criticalcritical rolerole inin developingdeveloping ourour futurefuture workforceworkforce -- thethe HenriettaHenrietta StockdaleStockdale CollegeCollege ofof NursingNursing andand thethe CollegeCollege ofof EmerEmergencygency Care.Care.
MEDICO
MEDICO--LEGALLEGAL MATTERSMATTERS
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, SouthSouth AfricaAfrica isis experiencingexperiencing aa sharpsharp riserise inin medicomedico--legallegal litigationslitigations inin thethe publicpublic healthhealth sector.sector. Nationally,Nationally, thethe potentialpotential financialfinancial liabilityliability thatthat maymay bebe incurred,incurred, alsoalso knownknown asas thethe contingentcontingent liability,liability, roserose fromfrom R20.6R20.6 billionbillion inin 20152015 toto R98R98 billionbillion byby MarchMarch 2019.2019. InIn thethe NorthernNorthern Cape,Cape, wewe havehave seenseen anan increaseincrease fromfrom R151R151 millionmillion toto R1.5R1.5 billionbillion inin thethe correspondingcorresponding period.period.
Strict
Strict managementmanagement ofof patientpatient filesfiles andand confidentialconfidential departmentaldepartmental recordsrecords willwill bebe introduced.introduced. AA projectproject hashas beenbeen launchedlaunched forfor thethe cleanclean--upup andand reorganisationreorganisation ofof patientpatient filesfiles andand thethe filingfiling ofof records.records. InIn thisthis process,process, thethe sequentialsequential uniqueunique numbernumber forfor ththee referencingreferencing ofof patientpatient filesfiles willwill bebe reviewedreviewed inin favourfavour ofof aa moremore efficientefficient system.system.
In
In addition,addition, II havehave establishedestablished aa TaskTask TeamTeam toto investigateinvestigate allegationsallegations ofof breachesbreaches inin patientpatient confidentialityconfidentiality andand unethicalunethical behaviour.behaviour. ThisThis TaskTask TeamTeam willwill provideprovide meme wiwithth aa preliminarypreliminary reportreport withinwithin 44 months,months, withwith recommendationsrecommendations onon howhow toto mitigatemitigate thethe potentialpotential risksrisks inin thisthis regard.regard.
The
The DepartmentDepartment isis alsoalso implementingimplementing newnew nursingnursing initiatives,initiatives, suchsuch asas thethe “Health“Health WorkerWorker forfor Change”Change” programmeprogramme andand thethe “Patient“Patient ConfidentialConfidentialityity andand EthicalEthical CareCare Training”Training” programme.programme.
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EMERGENCYEMERGENCY MEDICALMEDICAL SERVICESSERVICES
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, asas announcedannounced byby thethe HonourableHonourable Premier,Premier, DrDr ZamaniZamani Saul,Saul, duringduring hishis SOPA,SOPA, aa ComputerComputer--AidedAided AmbulanceAmbulance DespatchDespatch SystemSystem willwill bebe operationalisedoperationalised inin thethe callcall centrescentres inin KimberleyKimberley andand Upington.Upington. CurrentlyCurrently thethe DepartmentDepartment isis inin thethe processprocess ofof transferringtransferring paperpaper--basedbased datadata intointo aa digitaldigital formform inin orderorder toto bebe readyready forfor loadingloading ontoonto thethe newnew system.system. ThisThis measuremeasure willwill revolutionarizerevolutionarize thethe wayway inin whichwhich emergencyemergency responseresponse timestimes areare mamanaged;naged; inin otherother words,words, asas thethe HonourableHonourable PremierPremier putsputs it,it, wewe mustmust ““UberizeUberize”” thethe EMSEMS fleetfleet andand itsits operations.operations.
Since
Since AprilApril thisthis year,year, thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas dispatcheddispatched thirtythirty--twotwo ambulancesambulances andand sixteensixteen patientpatient transporttransport vehicles.vehicles. DuringDuring thethe remainderremainder ofof thisthis yyear,ear, thethe DepartmentDepartment plansplans toto introduceintroduce aa furtherfurther twentytwenty--sixsix ambulances,ambulances, nineteennineteen patientpatient transporttransport vehiclesvehicles andand fivefive emergencyemergency rescuerescue vehicles,vehicles, asas wellwell asas sixsix speciallyspecially designeddesigned vehiclesvehicles forfor thethe forensicforensic service.service. DepartmentDepartment willwill progressivelyprogressively removeremove thethe dadamagedmaged vehiclesvehicles andand thosethose withwith excessiveexcessive kilometreskilometres.. TheThe mediummedium--termterm planplan isis toto increaseincrease thethe numbernumber ofof operationaloperational ambulancesambulances toto 120.120. TheThe numbernumber ofof emergencyemergency carecare officersofficers hashas increasedincreased fromfrom 742742 lastlast yearyear toto 791.791. TheThe mediummedium--termterm planplan isis toto increaseincrease persopersonnelnnel toto 1,2001,200 asas partpart ofof ourour planplan toto reducereduce responseresponse times,times, especiallyespecially forfor urgenturgent andand emergencyemergency care.care.
In
In additionaddition toto this,this, forfor thethe firstfirst timetime thisthis year,year, thethe DepartmentDepartment isis employingemploying 77 AdvancedAdvanced LifeLife SupportSupport ParamedicsParamedics whowho willwill workwork onon thethe roadroad withwith thethe amambulances.bulances. ThreeThree ofof thesethese willwill bebe basedbased atat thethe RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe HospitalHospital toto supportsupport thethe transfertransfer ofof criticallycritically illill patients,patients, whilewhile twotwo moremore willwill bebe basedbased inin thethe SolSol--PlaatjePlaatje Municipality,Municipality, oneone inin Kuruman,Kuruman, andand oneone inin Upington.Upington. TheThe mediummedium--termterm planplan isis ttoo increaseincrease thisthis categorycategory ofof highlyhighly qualifiedqualified personnelpersonnel toto 20.20.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS && TBTB
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe DepartmentDepartment isis intensifyingintensifying itsits interventionsinterventions toto mitigatemitigate thethe impactimpact ofof HIVHIV && AIDSAIDS onon ourour people.people. SouthSouth AfricaAfrica hashas signedsigned upup toto thethe UNDAIDSUNDAIDS targetstargets ofof reachingreaching 9090--9090--9090 forfor HIVHIV byby DecemberDecember 20202020 asas wellwell asas thethe StopStop TBTB Strategy.Strategy. ThisThis meansmeans that,that, workingworking withwith ourour communities,communities, wewe willwill seekseek toto ensureensure that:that: ToTo achieveachieve thesethese challengingchallenging targetstargets thethe DepartmentDepartment isis implementingimplementing thethe “90“90--9090--9090 SurgeSurge Plan”Plan” inin allall fivefive districts.districts. CurrentlyCurrently inin thethe provinceprovince wewe havehave moremore thanthan 59,00059,000 peoplepeople onon treatment.treatment. TheThe provincialprovincial HIVHIV positivitypositivity raterate hashas remainedremained stablestable atat 4%4% yearyear--onon--yearyear thanksthanks toto thethe effectivenesseffectiveness ofof interventions,interventions, includingincluding HIVHIV Testing,Testing, CondomCondom Distribution,Distribution, MedicalMedical MaleMale Circumcision,Circumcision, andand BehaviouralBehavioural Change.Change. InIn oorderrder toto furtherfurther strengthenstrengthen preventativepreventative programsprograms towardtoward SexuallySexually TransmittedTransmitted Infections,Infections, includingincluding HIV,HIV, thethe DepartmentDepartment willwill distributedistribute moremore thanthan 1515 millionmillion condoms.condoms. MenMen willwill bebe targetedtargeted byby undertakingundertaking demanddemand creationcreation campaignscampaigns toto provideprovide MaleMale MedicalMedical CircuCircumcisionmcision toto almostalmost 7,0007,000 malesmales overover thethe ageage ofof 1010 years.years. PoorPoor treatmenttreatment adherenceadherence inin peoplepeople livingliving withwith HIVHIV isis associatedassociated withwith lessless effectiveeffective viralviral suppression,suppression, immediimmediateate risksrisks toto theirtheir wellbeing,wellbeing, andand thethe increasedincreased riskrisk ofof developingdeveloping drugdrug
7
resistance.
resistance. ToTo helphelp patientspatients adhereadhere toto theirtheir antiretroviralantiretroviral treatmenttreatment thethe DepartmentDepartment isis settingsetting upup 1,2001,200 “Adherence“Adherence Clubs”Clubs” acrossacross thethe Province,Province, withwith 5,0005,000 clientsclients beingbeing enrolledenrolled inin thethe firstfirst year.year.
Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, TuberculosisTuberculosis remainsremains oneone ofof thethe leadingleading causecause ofof deathsdeaths inin thethe province.province. TheThe casecase findingfinding ofof TBTB patientspatients inin thethe provinceprovince isis inin thethe orderorder ofof 7,0007,000 patientspatients perper annum.annum. DespiteDespite this,this, thethe DepartmentDepartment isis awareaware ofof 4,1894,189 knownknown TBTB patientspatients whowho havehave bbeeneen lostlost toto thethe systemsystem afterafter diagnosis.diagnosis. IfIf notnot foundfound andand treated,treated, thesethese patientspatients increaseincrease thethe riskrisk ofof TBTB transmission.transmission. AnAn additionaladditional complicationcomplication toto thisthis isis thatthat aboutabout 400400 patientspatients eacheach yearyear developdevelop DrugDrug Resistance,Resistance, reducingreducing thethe chancechance ofof achievingachieving timelytimely cure.cure. TheThe deathdeath ratesrates amongstamongst DrugDrug ResistantResistant TBTB patientspatients isis veryvery high,high, atat 28%.28%. ThisThis financialfinancial year,year, R31R31 millionmillion randrand hashas beenbeen allocatedallocated fromfrom thethe HIVHIV ConditionalConditional GrantGrant toto helphelp fightfight thethe scourgescourge ofof TB.TB. ThisThis budgetbudget willwill bebe usedused toto helphelp findfind thethe 4,1894,189 defauldefaultingting TBTB patients,patients, therebythereby ensuringensuring thatthat allall patientspatients areare linkedlinked backback toto thethe healthhealth systemsystem andand startedstarted onon treatment.treatment. MATERNALMATERNAL && CHILDCHILD HEALTHHEALTH
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe MaternalMaternal deathdeath ratioratio inin hospitalshospitals isis 7171 perper 100,000,100,000, whichwhich isis signifisignificantlycantly betterbetter thanthan thethe targettarget ofof 115115 perper 100,000.100,000. Similarly,Similarly, thethe NeonatalNeonatal deathdeath raterate inin hospitalshospitals remainsremains improved,improved, atat 11.611.6 perper 1,0001,000 againstagainst thethe targettarget ofof 14.514.5 perper 1,000.1,000. TheThe deathdeath raterate ofof ChildrenChildren underunder 55 yearsyears isis alsoalso lower,lower, atat 4.54.5 perper 1,0001,000 againstagainst thethe targettarget ofof 5.15.1 perper 1,000.1,000.
However,
However, eveneven whilewhile wewe notenote thesethese improvements,improvements, wewe mustmust rememberremember thatthat thethe deathdeath ofof oneone mothermother oror infantinfant isis oneone tootoo many.many. WeWe needneed toto putput concertedconcerted efforteffort intointo addressingaddressing thethe rootroot causescauses ofof adverseadverse outcomes,outcomes, includingincluding enforcingenforcing compliancecompliance withwith infectioninfection preventionprevention andand controlcontrol measures,measures, ensuringensuring thatthat essentialessential medication,medication, equipmentequipment andand medicalmedical technologytechnology areare inin place,place, andand monitoringmonitoring thethe efficiencyefficiency ofof ourour maternalmaternal referralreferral systemssystems etc.etc.
Honourable
Honourable membersmembers,, plansplans areare atat anan advancedadvanced stagestage toto installinstall aa modernmodern digitaldigital xx--rayray machinemachine atat PortPort Nolloth.Nolloth. ThisThis measuremeasure willwill improveimprove radiologyradiology servicesservices inin thethe areaarea andand reducereduce thethe needneed toto traveltravel toto Springbok.Springbok. AA breastbreast imagingimaging machine,machine, knownknown asas aa MammographyMammography unit,unit, isis alsoalso beingbeing procuredprocured forfor DrDr HarrHarryy SurtieSurtie HospitalHospital inin Upington,Upington, andand aa locallocal radiographerradiographer fromfrom UpingtonUpington hashas beenbeen trainedtrained atat RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe HospitalHospital toto specializespecialize inin mammography.mammography. OnceOnce installed,installed, thisthis equipmentequipment willwill allowallow approximatelyapproximately fiftyfifty patientspatients eacheach monthmonth whowho areare currentlycurrently bebeinging referredreferred toto Kimberley,Kimberley, toto bebe scannedscanned inin Upington.Upington.
ROBERT
ROBERT MANGALISOMANGALISO SOBUKWESOBUKWE HOSPITALHOSPITAL ANDAND HOSPITALHOSPITAL SERVICESSERVICES
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe issueissue ofof collaborationcollaboration withwith ourour socialsocial partnerspartners hashas alwaysalways hadhad oneone flaw:flaw: itit hashas nevernever beenbeen approachedapproached inin aa mannermanner thatthat fullyfully advocatesadvocates forfor thethe interestsinterests ofof thethe DepartmentDepartment oror ensuresensures thethe sustainabilitysustainability ofof thethe partnershipspartnerships thatthat itit entersenters into.into. BearingBearing thisthis inin mind,mind, II havehave engagedengaged somesome ofof ourour keykey strategicstrategic partnerspartners inin thethe miningmining sectorsector andand thethe JTGJTG TrustTrust withwith thethe expressexpress purposepurpose toto mobilisemobilise supportsupport andand resourcesresources forfor thethe constructionconstruction ofof twotwo districtdistrict hospitals,hospitals, oneone inin JohnJohn TaoloTaolo GaetseweGaetsewe District,District, andand thethe otherother inin FrancesFrances BaardBaard District.District.
8
The
The operationalisationoperationalisation ofof thethe twotwo hospitalshospitals willwill curbcurb thethe influxinflux ofof patientspatients toto RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SoSobukwebukwe hospital.hospital.
The
The DepartmentDepartment isis undertakingundertaking aa phasedphased approachapproach toto transfertransfer mostmost ofof thethe CommunityCommunity ServiceService MedicalMedical OfficersOfficers fromfrom thethe RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe HospitalHospital toto thethe healthhealth facilitiesfacilities inin thethe districts.districts. TheThe DepartmentDepartment hashas alsoalso increasedincreased thethe numbernumber ofof MedicalMedical OfficerOfficer postsposts inin thethe DistrictsDistricts inin orderorder toto provideprovide betterbetter supervisionsupervision ofof thethe communitycommunity serviceservice doctorsdoctors
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, currentlycurrently thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas twotwo infrastructureinfrastructure upgradeupgrade projectsprojects underwayunderway atat RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe Hospital,Hospital, fundedfunded byby privateprivate sectorsector donors.donors. TheThe firstfirst isis aa projectproject toto upgradeupgrade thethe BurnsBurns WardWard isis inin partnershippartnership withwith thethe SmileSmile Foundation.Foundation. InIn thethe firstfirst phase,phase, whichwhich startedstarted lastlast year,year, thethe SmileSmile FoundationFoundation raisedraised R1.8R1.8 million.million.
TheThe hospitalhospital isis facingfacing aa shortageshortage ofof frontfront--lineline clinicalclinical staffstaff inin thethe formform ofof doctors,doctors, nursesnurses andand alliedallied healthhealth professionals.professionals. ThisThis willwill bebe addressedaddressed byby fillingfilling allall vacantvacant postsposts overover tthehe nextnext fewfew months.months. TheThe hospitalhospital aimsaims toto improveimprove thethe multidisciplinarymultidisciplinary teamteam approachapproach inin orderorder toto reducereduce thethe lengthylengthy inpatientinpatient stay,stay, toto reducereduce thethe incidenceincidence ofof hospitalhospital acquiredacquired infectionsinfections andand toto generallygenerally improveimprove thethe qualityquality ofof healthhealth care.care. TheThe averageaverage llengthength ofof staystay inin thethe hospitalhospital remainsremains highhigh atat justjust overover sevenseven daysdays comparedcompared withwith thethe nationalnational averageaverage ofof justjust overover fivefive days.days. ThisThis resultsresults primarilyprimarily fromfrom patientspatients waitingwaiting forfor OOrthopaedicsrthopaedics andand generalgeneral surgerysurgery andand willwill bebe addressedaddressed throughthrough thethe appointmentappointment ofof criticalcritical clinicalclinical staff.staff.
A new facility for the Renal Centre has been developed at the hospital. In the next two weeks the renal dialysis service will move into a modern facility that is dedicated for renal patients. This move will not only increase dialysis stations from 10 to 12, it will provide more space for each patient, as well as provide an isolation room for any patients with an infection. This will be a major improvement in terms of patient confidentiality, comfort and infection control.
Honourable
Honourable Members,Members, II wouldwould likelike toto shareshare withwith youyou aa storystory thatthat hashas touchedtouched mymy heart.heart. OnOn thethe 1111thth ofof AugustAugust thisthis year,year, aa youngyoung manman fromfrom PostmasburgPostmasburg donateddonated hishis heart,heart, kidneys,kidneys, lungs,lungs, liverliver andand corneascorneas atat RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe HospitalHospital inin thethe eveeventnt ofof hishis death.death. TwoTwo patientspatients onon dialysisdialysis benefitedbenefited fromfrom thisthis noblenoble donationdonation andand areare nownow backback inin KimberleyKimberley andand doingdoing veryvery wellwell inin theirtheir recovery.recovery.
Madam
Madam SpeakerSpeaker,, thethe secondsecond projectproject isis aa significantsignificant upgradeupgrade ofof cancercancer servicesservices fundedfunded byby thethe BristolBristol--MyersMyers SquibbSquibb FoundationFoundation (BMSF)(BMSF) overover threethree yearsyears sincesince 2018.2018. TheThe lunglung cancercancer projectproject isis worthworth twentytwenty--fivefive million.million. AA majormajor partpart ofof thisthis projectproject involvesinvolves adaptingadapting thethe propertyproperty atat numbernumber 3434 MemorialMemorial RoadRoad soso thatthat itit willwill becomebecome thethe CancerCancer CentreCentre forfor thethe Hospital,Hospital, providingproviding thethe provinciaprovinciall cancercancer tertiarytertiary services.services. TheThe strategicstrategic goalgoal isis toto bebe ableable toto provideprovide andand supportsupport Lung,Lung, BreastBreast andand CervicalCervical CancerCancer services,services, includingincluding awareness,awareness, screening,screening, referral,referral, patientpatient navigation,navigation, treatmenttreatment adherenceadherence andand palliativepalliative support.support. TheThe longlong--termterm aimaim isis toto constructconstruct aa radiotherapyradiotherapy bunkerbunker andand linearlinear acceleratoraccelerator facilityfacility behindbehind thethe CancerCancer Centre.Centre. WhilstWhilst thisthis businessbusiness casecase isis beingbeing developed,developed, thethe shortshort--termterm solutionsolution hashas beenbeen enteredentered intointo toto procureprocure aa serviceservice fromfrom EquraEqura Health,Health, whowho runrun aa radiotherapyradiotherapy cancercancer serviceservice atat thethe LenMedLenMed RoyalRoyal HospitalHospital inin Kimberley.Kimberley. TheThe RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe hospitalhospital seessees overover fivefive hundredhundred newnew cancercancer patientspatients andand overover eighteight thousandthousand existingexisting cancercancer patientspatients everyevery year.year. ItIt providesprovides overover twotwo thousandthousand fivefive
9
hundred
hundred chemotherapychemotherapy treatreatmentstments perper annumannum locallylocally andand refersrefers sixsix hundredhundred patientspatients eacheach yearyear toto thethe NationalNational HospitalHospital inin BloemfonteinBloemfontein forfor radiotherapy.radiotherapy. EachEach triptrip lastslasts upup toto sixsix weeks.weeks. TheThe longlong distancedistance fromfrom homehome andand thethe extendedextended waitingwaiting timetime beforebefore beingbeing acceptedaccepted forfor treatmenttreatment mmakesakes thisthis optionoption difficultdifficult forfor manymany cancercancer patients.patients. TheThe serviceservice levellevel agreementagreement enteredentered intointo withwith LenMedLenMed willwill allowallow moremore thanthan 70%70% ofof radiotherapyradiotherapy treatmentstreatments toto bebe providedprovided locallylocally ratherrather thanthan travellingtravelling toto BloemfonteinBloemfontein
MadamMadam Speaker,Speaker, therethere areare twotwo projecprojectsts underwayunderway toto helphelp alleviatealleviate thesethese waitingwaiting times:times: -- TheThe decongestingdecongesting ofof thethe hospitalhospital ofof patientspatients withwith moremore minorminor ailmentsailments thatthat couldcould bebe managedmanaged byby thethe districtdistrict healthhealth servicesservices willwill bebe broughtbrought aboutabout byby aa closercloser workingworking relationshiprelationship betweenbetween thethe hospitalhospital,, thethe GalesheweGaleshewe DayDay HospitalHospital andand thethe locallocal primaryprimary healthhealth carecare clinics.clinics. ThisThis willwill bebe supportedsupported byby activitiesactivities ofof thethe HospitalHospital BoardBoard andand ClinicClinic CommitteesCommittees whowho willwill taketake aa leadingleading rolerole inin educatingeducating patientspatients aboutabout thethe correctcorrect selfself--referralreferral routeroute forfor healthhealth care.care. -- TheThe relocatirelocationon ofof OrthopaedicOrthopaedic emergencyemergency referralreferral toto thethe OphthalmologyOphthalmology && OrthopaedicOrthopaedic CentreCentre inin thethe hospitalhospital willwill relieverelieve pressurepressure inin thethe AccidentAccident && EmergencyEmergency CentreCentre asas wellwell asas provideprovide aa moremore focusedfocused serviceservice forfor thisthis categorycategory ofof patient.patient. MadamMadam Speaker,Speaker, thethe departmentdepartment recognizesrecognizes thethe challengechallenge facedfaced byby ourour citizenscitizens livingliving inin villagesvillages andand settlementssettlements wherewhere therethere isis aa challengechallenge toto accessaccess toto PrimaryPrimary HealthHealth Care.Care. WeWe areare experiencingexperiencing challengeschallenges withwith howhow toto resolveresolve thisthis withinwithin thethe contextcontext ofof ourour limitedlimited resources.resources. ThisThis year,year, wewe willwill bebe placingplacing 1111 revampedrevamped mobilemobile clinicsclinics donateddonated byby KumbaKumba-- SishenSishen IronIron OreOre minemine toto serviceservice needyneedy communities.communities.
ICT,
ICT, CONNECTIVITYCONNECTIVITY ANDAND DIGITIZATIONDIGITIZATION
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, asas thethe HonourableHonourable PremierPremier highlightedhighlighted duringduring hishis SOPASOPA ththatat modernisationmodernisation andand innovationinnovation ofof frontlinefrontline publicpublic servicesservices isis thethe wayway toto gogo ifif wewe areare toto bebe atat thethe cuttingcutting edgeedge ofof thethe FourthFourth IndustrialIndustrial Revolution.Revolution.
All
All hospitalshospitals alreadyalready havehave internetinternet connectivity,connectivity, andand thisthis yearyear thethe DepartmentDepartment willwill rollroll outout connectivityconnectivity toto 8080 PrimaryPrimary HealthHealth CareCare Facilities.Facilities. ThisThis willwill enableenable thethe personnelpersonnel toto readilyreadily capturecapture andand submitsubmit healthhealth informationinformation onlineonline usingusing ourour keykey informationinformation systems.systems. TheThe HealthHealth PatientPatient RegistrationRegistration SystemSystem (known(known asas HPRS)HPRS) isis aa nationalnational iniinitiativetiative beingbeing implementedimplemented inin allall fivefive districts.districts. ThisThis meansmeans thatthat patientspatients areare registeredregistered onceonce onon aa computercomputer systemsystem usingusing aa uniqueunique identifier.identifier. ThisThis willwill allowallow patientpatient informationinformation toto bebe sharedshared confidentiallyconfidentially betweenbetween differentdifferent healthhealth teamsteams inin allall thethe healthhealth ffacilitiesacilities andand willwill helphelp improveimprove waitingwaiting timestimes andand makemake forfor betterbetter clinicalclinical decisiondecision making.making. TheThe vastvast distancesdistances inin thethe provinceprovince meanmean thatthat manymany ofof ourour managersmanagers spendspend aa lotlot ofof timetime travellingtravelling toto meetingsmeetings andand variousvarious engagements.engagements. ToTo resolveresolve somesome ofof thisthis thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas installedinstalled modernmodern videovideo conferencingconferencing technologytechnology inin allall fourteenfourteen hospitals,hospitals, asas wellwell asas inin thethe DistrictDistrict andand provincialprovincial managementmanagement offices.offices. ThisThis willwill enableenable realreal--timetime accessaccess betweenbetween thethe provincial,provincial, districtdistrict andand hospitalhospital managementmanagement teams.teams. WeWe areare alsoalso exploringexploring howhow thesethese systemssystems cancan bebe usedused byby clinicalclinical teamsteams toto improveimprove clinicalclinical communication.communication. ThisThis measuremeasure willwill significantlysignificantly reducereduce thethe timetime andand costscosts spentspent byby managersmanagers travellingtravelling betweenbetween meetingsmeetings
10
across
across thethe province.province. TrainingTraining isis currentlycurrently underwayunderway toto managersmanagers onon howhow toto useuse thethe systemsystem effectively.effectively.
We
We willwill alsoalso ensureensure thatthat communitycommunity healthhealth workersworkers inin thethe provinceprovince areare providedprovided withwith appropriateappropriate computercomputer devicesdevices asas aa radicalradical measuremeasure toto improveimprove datadata collectioncollection andand reporting.reporting. TheseThese informationinformation andand communicacommunicationtion systemssystems areare aa keykey componentcomponent inin improvingimproving thethe qualityquality ofof healthhealth carecare informationinformation andand administrationadministration andand areare criticalcritical inin thethe realizationrealization ofof thethe HealthHealth CompactCompact andand thethe NationalNational HealthHealth InsuranceInsurance programme.programme.
PHARM
PHARMAACEUTICALSCEUTICALS MadamMadam Speaker,Speaker, workingworking withwith thethe NationalNational DepartmentDepartment ofof HealthHealth thethe provinceprovince hashas usedused mobilemobile devicedevice technologytechnology inin primaryprimary healthhealth carecare clinicsclinics andand communitycommunity healthhealth centrescentres toto recordrecord medicinemedicine usageusage andand availabilityavailability inin thethe facility.facility. KnownKnown asas thethe StockStock VisibilityVisibility SystemSystem (or(or SVB),SVB), thisthis infoinformationrmation isis availableavailable toto nursing,nursing, pharmaceuticalpharmaceutical andand managerialmanagerial staffstaff toto monitormonitor stockstock levelslevels andand minimizeminimize thethe riskrisk ofof runningrunning outout ofof criticalcritical medications.medications. AnAn enhancementenhancement thatthat willwill bebe introducedintroduced laterlater thisthis yearyear thatthat willwill allowallow medicationmedication toto bebe orderedordered usinusingg thethe mobilemobile device,device, asas wellwell hashas recordrecord whenwhen thethe itemitem isis received.received. ThisThis enhancementenhancement willwill pavepave thethe wayway forfor aa smoothsmooth processprocess forfor managingmanaging medicalmedical stockstock levelslevels inin clinics.clinics. TheThe HospitalsHospitals areare beingbeing equippedequipped withwith aa slightlyslightly moremore sophisticatedsophisticated system,system, knownknown asas ““RxRx SolutionSolution”,”, toto improveimprove managingmanaging medicinemedicine availability.availability. InIn orderorder toto helphelp improveimprove thethe patientpatient experienceexperience ofof carecare byby reducingreducing waitingwaiting timestimes inin hospitalshospitals andand clinics,clinics, thethe “Centralized“Centralized ChronicChronic MedicationMedication DispensingDispensing andand Distribution”Distribution” programmeprogramme (CCMDD)(CCMDD) hashas bebeenen introducedintroduced toto allowallow patientspatients toto collectcollect theirtheir repeatrepeat medicationmedication atat aa placeplace closercloser toto home.home. ToTo datedate 58,06458,064 patientspatients havehave beenbeen enrolledenrolled onon thethe programme.programme. TheThe nextnext stagestage isis toto scalescale upup thethe numbernumber ofof medicationmedication pickpick--upup pointspoints toto includeinclude locationslocations suchsuch asas ththee PostPost Offices,Offices, CommunityCommunity Halls,Halls, ChurchesChurches andand TraditionalTraditional structures.structures.
INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe DepartmentDepartment hashas commencedcommenced withwith thethe constructionconstruction ofof threethree clinicsclinics inin JohnJohn TaoloTaolo GaetseweGaetsewe DistrictDistrict andand oneone inin ZZ FF MgcawuMgcawu District.District. TheseThese clinicsclinics areare locatlocateded asas follows:follows: atat BankharaBankhara Bodulong,Bodulong, Glenred,Glenred, Heuningvlei,Heuningvlei, andand Boegoeberg.Boegoeberg. TheyThey areare targetedtargeted forfor completioncompletion towardstowards thethe endend ofof thisthis financialfinancial year.year. TheThe DepartmentDepartment willwill alsoalso completecomplete thethe constructionconstruction ofof thethe replacementreplacement CommunityCommunity HealthHealth CenterCenter atat PortPort NollotNollothh byby DecemberDecember 2019.2019. Finally,Finally, aa newnew pharmacypharmacy thatthat compliescomplies withwith thethe requirementsrequirements ofof thethe PharmacyPharmacy CouncilCouncil isis underunder constructionconstruction atat DrDr VanVan NiekerkNiekerk HospitalHospital inin SpringbokSpringbok andand willwill bebe completedcompleted thisthis financialfinancial year.year. TheThe newnew SpringbokSpringbok ForensicForensic MortuaryMortuary hashas reachereachedd itsits finalfinal stagesstages andand isis readyready forfor operationalizationoperationalization byby thethe endend ofof thethe currentcurrent financialfinancial year.year. TheThe mortuarymortuary providesprovides thethe entireentire upperupper NamakwaNamakwa regionregion withwith aa fridgefridge capacitycapacity ofof thirtythirty--threethree bodybody cabinets.cabinets. TheThe DepartmentDepartment willwill bebe proceedingproceeding toto upgradeupgrade 7272--hhourour MentalMental HealthHealth assessmentassessment facilitiesfacilities atat RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe Hospital,Hospital, KurumanKuruman Hospital,Hospital, thethe newnew DeDe AarAar Hospital,Hospital, andand atat thethe AbrahamAbraham EsauEsau HospitalHospital inin Calvinia.Calvinia.
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The
The followingfollowing projectsprojects areare inin thethe planningplanning phase:phase:
-- ConstructionConstruction ofof KurumanKuruman ForensicForensic MortuaryMortuary -- UpgradingUpgrading ofof KurumanKuruman HospitalHospital Casualty,Casualty, accidentaccident andand emergencyemergency unitunit -- UpgradingUpgrading ofof thethe maternitymaternity wardward atat GalesheweGaleshewe DayDay HospitalHospital -- TshwaraganoTshwaragano NursingNursing CollegeCollege accommodationaccommodation ConstructionConstruction ofof NewNew MentalMental HealthHealth HospitalHospital inin KimberleyKimberley isis complete,complete, andand thethe DepartmentDepartment willwill openopen thisthis hospitalhospital nextnext month,month, withwith thethe transfertransfer ofof mentalmental healthhealth patientspatients fromfrom thethe WestWest EndEnd Hospital.Hospital. AA mediamedia andand stakeholderstakeholder tourtour aroundaround thethe facilityfacility willwill bebe conductedconducted priorprior toto itsits officialofficial opening.opening.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, thethe newnew hospitalhospital wiwillll initiallyinitially openopen withwith 160160 beds,beds, comprisingcomprising ofof 4646 statestate patientpatient beds,beds, 9393 involuntaryinvoluntary patientpatient bedsbeds andand 2121 voluntaryvoluntary andand assistedassisted patientpatient beds.beds. TheThe departmentdepartment isis exploringexploring opportunitiesopportunities toto openopen 1010 bedsbeds forfor forensicforensic observationsobservations andand 1010 bedsbeds forfor childchild andand adoladolescentescent mentalmental healthhealth services.services. TheThe DepartmentDepartment isis currentlycurrently finalizingfinalizing thethe installationinstallation ofof equipmentequipment andand furniturefurniture readyready forfor thethe opening.opening.
I
I alsoalso wishwish toto announceannounce thatthat processprocess isis underwayunderway toto establishestablish MentalMental HealthHealth ReviewReview BoardsBoards inin thethe fourfour remainingremaining districts.districts.
BUDGET
BUDGET ALLOCATIONSALLOCATIONS
Madam
Madam SpeakerSpeaker,, thethe department’sdepartment’s budgetbudget baselinebaseline forfor 2019/202019/20 showsshows aa growthgrowth ofof 7.1%7.1% fromfrom thethe adjustedadjusted budgetbudget ofof 2018/19.2018/19. PersonnelPersonnel costs,costs, whichwhich constituteconstitute 60.3%60.3% ofof thethe totaltotal budget,budget, remainremain thethe mainmain costcost driverdriver inin thethe Department.Department. TheThe budgetbudget forfor compensationcompensation ofof employeesemployees ggrewrew byby 11.8%11.8% whenwhen comparedcompared withwith thethe adjustedadjusted budgetbudget ofof R2.8R2.8 billionbillion inin 2018/19.2018/19. TheThe budgetbudget forfor goodsgoods andand servicesservices showsshows aa smallsmall growthgrowth ofof 4%4% whenwhen comparedcompared toto thethe adjustedadjusted budgetbudget ofof R1.6R1.6 billionbillion inin 2018/19.2018/19. TheThe budgetbudget forfor TransfersTransfers andand subsidiessubsidies showsshows aa growthgrowth ofof 5.6%.5.6%. TheThe budgetbudget forfor paymentspayments ofof capitalcapital assetsassets showsshows aa negativenegative growthgrowth ofof 14.7%14.7% comparedcompared toto thethe R376R376 millionmillion inin adjustedadjusted budgetbudget inin 2018/19.2018/19. ThisThis significantsignificant reductionreduction isis duedue toto reprioritisationreprioritisation withinwithin thethe HealthHealth FacilityFacility RevitalizationRevitalization GrantGrant ttoo scalescale downdown onon thethe capitalcapital allocationallocation forfor constructionconstruction ofof newnew facilitiesfacilities andand prioritiseprioritise thethe repairrepair andand maintenancemaintenance ofof thethe existingexisting healthhealth facilities.facilities. TheThe maintenancemaintenance budgetbudget fallsfalls withwith thethe goodsgoods andand servicesservices allocation.allocation. TheThe budgetbudget allocationallocation toto eacheach progrprogrammeamme inin 2019/202019/20 isis asas follows:follows: ProgrammeProgramme 1,1, Administration:Administration: R219R219 millionmillion oror 4.2%4.2% ProgrammeProgramme 2,2, DistrictDistrict HealthHealth Services:Services: R2.4R2.4 billionbillion oror 46.3%46.3% ProgrammeProgramme 3,3, EmergencyEmergency MedicalMedical ServicesServices R362R362 millionmillion oror 6.9%6.9% ProgrammeProgramme 4,4, RegionalRegional andand SpecialisedSpecialised Hospitals:Hospitals: R40R4099 millionmillion oror 7.9%7.9% ProgrammeProgramme 5,5, TertiaryTertiary Hospitals:Hospitals: R1.1R1.1 billionbillion oror 22.1%22.1% ProgrammeProgramme 6:6: HealthHealth sciencessciences andand training:training: R140R140 millionmillion oror 2.7%2.7% ProgrammeProgramme 7:7: HealthHealth carecare supportsupport services:services: R123R123 millionmillion oror 2.4%2.4% ProgrammeProgramme 8:8: InfrastructureInfrastructure healthhealth facilitiesfacilities managemenmanagement:t: R390R390 millionmillion oror 7.5%7.5%
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This
This givesgives aa grandgrand totaltotal budgetbudget allocationallocation ofof R5.1R5.1 billionbillion inin 2019/20.2019/20. FinancialFinancial delegationsdelegations toto lowerlower structuresstructures areare anan importantimportant aspectaspect ofof strengtheningstrengthening accountabilityaccountability whilstwhilst speedingspeeding upup thethe pacepace ofof change.change. ToTo thisthis end,end, thethe depardepartmenttment hashas allocatedallocated financialfinancial delegationsdelegations toto eacheach ofof thethe 55 DistrictDistrict Managers,Managers, asas wellwell asas toto thethe CEOsCEOs ofof RobertRobert MangalisoMangaliso SobukweSobukwe Hospital,Hospital, DrDr HarryHarry SurtieSurtie Hospital,Hospital, DrDr VanVan NiekerkNiekerk Hospital,Hospital, andand thethe newnew DeDe AarAar HospitalHospital.. CLOSINGCLOSING REMARKSREMARKS
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, II havehave takentaken seriousserious notenote ofof thethe commentscomments andand observationsobservations ofof thethe HealthHealth users,users, HealthHealth PortfolioPortfolio CommitteeCommittee andand otherother stakeholders.stakeholders. II wishwish toto reaffirmreaffirm mymy commitmentcommitment andand thatthat ofof thethe DepartmentDepartment toto thethe plansplans outlinedoutlined today,today, andand toto clearlyclearly statestate thatthat thisthis isis notnot aa wishwish list,list, butbut aa practicalpractical descriptiondescription ofof improvementsimprovements thatthat wewe willwill make.make.
Allow
Allow meme toto expressexpress gratitudegratitude toto mymy friends,friends, comradescomrades andand membersmembers ofof thethe AfricanAfrican NationalNational Congress,Congress, thethe SouthSouth AfricanAfrican CommunistCommunist Party,Party, COSATUCOSATU andand itsits affiliatesaffiliates forfor theirtheir supportsupport aandnd guidanceguidance sincesince mymy appointmentappointment asas MECMEC ofof HealthHealth inin thethe province.province. LetLet meme alsoalso taketake thethe opportunityopportunity toto thankthank thethe HeadHead ofof Department,Department, DrDr StevenSteven Jonkers,Jonkers, managementmanagement andand staffstaff ofof thethe DepartmentDepartment andand thethe MinistryMinistry forfor theirtheir support.support.
Sa
Sa bofelo,bofelo, ntetlentetle keke tseytseyee tshonotshono ee gogo lebogaleboga baba lelapalelapa lala me,me, baba masikamasika lele ditsala,ditsala, baba bantsengbantseng baba ntshegeditsentshegeditse kaka nakonako tsotlhe,tsotlhe, bogolobogolo segolosegolo MmeMme MotswadiMotswadi waka.waka.
Madam
Madam Speaker,Speaker, keke mosetsanamosetsana wawa motshweneng,motshweneng, keke tswenitsweni ee makopo,makopo, gakegake naiwanaiwa mmelingmmeling keke naiwanaiwa makopong.makopong. KeKe mohurutshimohurutshi wawa gaga mmanyanemmanyane yoyo godilenggodileng aa bolayabolaya tlhware.tlhware. BannaBanna baba ee tshaba.tshaba. KeKe mothomotho wawa gogo tsamayatsamaya aa latlhalatlha dintdint akaaka mogatla.mogatla. KereKere banyanabanyana baba makgatlamakgatla batlabatla tsamayatsamaya baba diseladisela koko morago.morago. MakopoMakopo gaga aa naiwi,naiwi, aa naiwanaiwa felafela keke banyanabanyana baba makgatla.makgatla.
Ke
Ke aa leboga.leboga.