Capture Date: Tue, 02/03/2010 - 22:23
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Pretoria - Gauteng has allocated R6.3 billion for health infrastructure to improve access to health care and performance of the public health care system.
MEC for Finance, Mandla Nkumfe, announced on Tuesday that the Department of Health had prioritised the purchase of medical equipment and supplies, and development and implementation of the Turnaround Strategy and Plan for community health centres and central hospitals.
"The sector will also implement the Turnaround Plan in 10 provincial hospitals to improve levels of healthcare to the citizens of Gauteng," Nkumfe said while tabling the Provincial Budget Speech.
He further expressed his appreciation towards the national Department of Health for honouring the province by prioritising two of its biggest hospitals, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Dr George Mukhari as part of the Public Private Partnership. - BuaNews
Gauteng to spend billions on health
Pretoria - An amount of R5.8 billion has been allocated to the Gauteng Department of Health to scale-up and expand the roll-out of anti-retroviral treatment to people infected with HIV and AIDS in the province.
"This will further be complimented by the improved implementation of the HIV and AIDS Workplace Programme within Gauteng provincial departments," Finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe said on Tuesday.
Tabling the 2010/2011 provincial budget, Nkomfe allocated over R6 billion over the MTEF, for the improvement of Primary Health Care.
He emphasised the importance of improving the health status of communities through primary health care.
"Part of the initiatives to be implemented during this period includes the extension of operating hours of public primary health care facilities throughout the province and improved queue and pharmacy management.
"This will result in communities making use of community-based PHC facilities 24 hours as part of ensuring that our health care systems works effectively," Nkomfe said.
In order to effectively respond to the growing demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), R2.1 billion has been made available for the management of the services.
The money will be spent on refurbishment of the existing and new EMS facilities and help reduce the call-response time.
It will further provide quality services during the 2010 FIFA World Cup event and beyond. - BuaNews