ActionSA Appalled by Gauteng Health Department’s Financial Mismanagement, Calls for Improved Fiscal Discipline
Press Statement by Emma More MPL
ActionSA Member of the Gauteng Legislature
ActionSA is appalled by the Gauteng Health Department’s shocking financial mismanagement, as revealed in recent reports. We urge the department to urgently implement stringent measures to improve its financial management operations.
The Department’s financial woes are multifaceted. Not only has it underspent R724 million and subsequently requested the rollover of these unspent millions but it has also only honoured payments of just 21% of invoices on time. For a department that looks after the health and well-being of Gauteng residents, this is unacceptable, infringes on patients’ rights to quality healthcare and raises serious concerns about the province’s financial planning and competence adversely affecting healthcare delivery.
The underspent millions could have been better utilised to address critical healthcare needs, such as improving cancer treatment services, employing more nurses, or upgrading healthcare facilities; all of which are in dire need of a financial injection to be on par with the expected healthcare standards.
Owing service providers R367 million exacerbates the problem, indicating a lack of prioritization in settling debts. The underspending and late payments have severe implications for healthcare delivery. For instance, cancer patients face delays in receiving urgent treatment due to the department’s failure to utilise the allocated R250 million. In the meantime, lives that could have been saved by implementing financial prudence are lost.
This chronic underspending points to deeper systemic problems, including inadequate project management, lack of accountability and consequence management, coupled with lack of skilled personnel and inefficient supply chain processes.
ActionSA demands that the Department:
Provide Clear Justification: Ofter a detailed explanation for the underspending and the need for a rollover.
Improve Financial Management: Develop and implement effective financial management systems to ensure timely utilization of allocated funds.
Prioritize Patient Care: Ensure that patients receive quality healthcare services, and allocated funds are used to benefit them directly.
Employ skilled and experienced personnel instead of political deployment for patronage.
Utilise a Public Budget Transparency Portal that will be accessible to residents for its supply chain processes.
ActionSA will continue to scrutinise the Gauteng Health Department’s financial management and advocate for improved healthcare delivery. We remain committed to exposing corruption, demanding accountability, and restoring dignity to communities devastated by government failure.
ActionSA Appalled by Gauteng Health Department’s Financial Mismanagement, Calls for Improved Fiscal Discipline
ActionSA is appalled by the Gauteng Health Department’s shocking financial mismanagement, as revealed in recent reports. We urge the department to urgently implement stringent measures to improve its financial management operations.
The Department’s financial woes are multifaceted. Not only has it underspent R724 million and subsequently requested the rollover of these unspent millions but it has also only honoured payments of just 21% of invoices on time. For a department that looks after the health and well-being of Gauteng residents, this is unacceptable, infringes on patients’ rights to quality healthcare and raises serious concerns about the province’s financial planning and competence adversely affecting healthcare delivery.
The underspent millions could have been better utilised to address critical healthcare needs, such as improving cancer treatment services, employing more nurses, or upgrading healthcare facilities; all of which are in dire need of a financial injection to be on par with the expected healthcare standards.
Owing service providers R367 million exacerbates the problem, indicating a lack of prioritization in settling debts. The underspending and late payments have severe implications for healthcare delivery. For instance, cancer patients face delays in receiving urgent treatment due to the department’s failure to utilise the allocated R250 million. In the meantime, lives that could have been saved by implementing financial prudence are lost.
This chronic underspending points to deeper systemic problems, including inadequate project management, lack of accountability and consequence management, coupled with lack of skilled personnel and inefficient supply chain processes.
ActionSA demands that the Department:
Utilise a Public Budget Transparency Portal that will be accessible to residents for its supply chain processes.
ActionSA will continue to scrutinise the Gauteng Health Department’s financial management and advocate for improved healthcare delivery. We remain committed to exposing corruption, demanding accountability, and restoring dignity to communities devastated by government failure.