Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Health has awarded contracts worth more than R32 million to two pharmaceutical companies to help curb the shortage of medication in public health facilities across the province.
The provincial health department on Wednesday said the 24 month contracts included the distribution of pharmaceuticals from the Medical Supplies Depot to Gauteng Department of Health institutions, as well as the supply and distribution of pharmaceutical items from suppliers to the Gauteng Department of Health institutions.
The deliveries are done twice a week to four central hospitals and once a week to three tertiary hospitals, six regional hospitals, 33 district hospitals, 77 Primary Health Care clinics and Community Health Care centres, 12 Emergency Medical Services facilities and five district pharmacies
According to the department, Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said each of the trucks has a real time tracking device monitoring the movement of the truck throughout its route to ensure no deviation from the scheduled trip.
“The trucks are enclosed to protect stock from weather effects. They are lockable with a tamper proof locking mechanism and bolt seals with serial numbers,” said MEC Mahlangu.
The trucks have a scanning system to scan and track each and every rolltainers in the trucks. This linking mechanism is used to monitor accurate handover of stock to the institutions and the return of the rolltainers to the depot. The system provides a real time traceability report of the trolleys thus assisting with asset management.
Suspension of officials
Eighteen officials have been suspended since July this year in relation to cases that include fraud and corruption, and also participating in an illegal strike.
To reduce misconduct in the workplace, the Gauteng Department of Health has suspended eighteen officials since July 2016.
“Of the eighteen, six were charged with participation in an illegal strike, the remaining twelve were charged with falsification of records, disregarding safety rules, gross negligence fraud and corruption.
“Positions of the suspended officials range from laundry worker to a Director and in three of the cases, criminal charges were laid. Investigations are underway.”
MEC Mahlangu said the department views these transgressions in a serious light.
“Lack of integrity feeds corruption and tarnishes the image of the department. The department cannot allow for such because public healthcare is the only hope for the majority of people who cannot afford private healthcare,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
