Parliament, Tuesday, 4 March 2025 - The Select Committee on Social Services concluded its oversight visit to Gauteng Province, which took place from 25 to 27 February 2025.
This visit aimed to assess the state of current and ongoing health infrastructure projects within the Provincial Department of Health and Wellness. Committee Chairperson Ms Desery Fienies said the committee's findings reveal a concerning picture of the challenges facing the province's healthcare system, highlighting critical areas that require immediate attention and action.
One of the most critical issues identified during the oversight was the inadequate funding allocated for the maintenance of health facilities. The province, which has 504 public facilities, receives less than 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.
In its observation during the oversight, committee members said they observed that many facilities are struggling to maintain operational standards, leading to deteriorating conditions, which may compromise patient care and safety. Despite this, they noted that the commitment of the MEC, management and health practitioners to serve the public is unquestionable.
The committee identified significant delays in the completion of various construction and refurbishment projects. For instance, the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services is reported to be at 95% completion but faces delays due to project cost overruns. Similarly, the Randfontein Community Health Centre is only 76% complete, with uncertainties surrounding its estimated completion date.
The committee stated that the delays not only hinder the provision of essential health services but also exacerbate the existing pressure on public healthcare resources.
Infrastructure challenges were evident across numerous facilities. The committee found that healthcare facilities such as Jubilee District Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and Tambo Memorial Hospital are grappling with aging infrastructure. The committee stated that the condition of these healthcare facilities necessitates urgent repairs and upgrades and appropriate health and safety standards. The committee 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.
The committee also noted a significant shortage of healthcare personnel across various facilities, with many hospitals operating below their required staffing levels. Ms Fienies said 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.
The issue of contractor accountability emerged as a recurring theme throughout the oversight visit. 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 fail 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.
The committee highlighted the importance of hospital boards and clinic committees and encouraged strengthened stakeholder involvement in ensuring the provision of quality healthcare in facilities.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES, DESERY FIENIES
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Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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