Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed that half of the 3000 clinics and hospitals inspected by the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) did not meet the expected norms and standards.
“The total number of public health facilities inspected is 3092. Of those inspected, 1226 were found to be compliant and 1866 were not compliant since the promulgation of the norms and standards,” Motsoaledi said.
He revealed this in a written reply to parliamentary questions from Rise Mzansi chief whip Makashule Gana, who enquired about the number of public healthcare facilities such as clinics and hospitals that met and/or did not meet the OHSC standards.
His response showed that the Eastern Cape led the pack with non-compliance at 496 facilities, followed by Limpopo with 326, KwaZulu-Natal 208, North West 191, Mpumalanga 178, Free State 182, Northern Cape 127.
Gauteng and Western Cape recorded non-compliance in 87 and 71 clinics and hospitals respectively.
Gana also asked for the breakdown of the facilities in each province and the estimated amount it will cost to bring all public healthcare facilities to be in compliance.
In his response, Motsoaledi said it was difficult to provide the cost to bring the health facilities in compliance with OHSC standards and norms.
“The OHSC would have to first inspect all facilities, and based on the deficiencies identified then the total costs of bringing all public healthcare facilities into compliance with OHSC standards can be determined.
“Given that all public healthcare facilities have not been inspected it would be difficult to provide such a costing.”
Motsoaledi also said a total of 689 inspections for public health facilities are planned for the 2024-25 financial year.
“The number of facilities that are compliant can only be confirmed after the inspections are completed. “
He stated an estimated budget of R15 723 288 has been allocated to cover the cost of the OHSC inspections to be conducted in the 2024/25 financial year, including public and private health establishments.
“The direct health facility revitalization grant is the largest source of funds for public health infrastructure and is transferred to provincial departments of health through the health facilities infrastructure management sub-programme in the hospital systems programme.”
Motsoaledi said his department was working with National Treasury to develop strategies to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure in the health sector for implementation of the National Health Insurance.
“Although the details of these proposals are still being finalised, they are likely to draw on the budget facility for infrastructure and the Infrastructure Fund to complement existing budgets for health infrastructure.”
Gana said the dire state of hospitals and clinics in the country did not bode well for the NHI.
“The figures should concern all of us, given that the majority of South Africans rely on the public healthcare (facilities), which are evidently not up to the regulated standards. Moreover, healthcare practitioners are not working in environment conducive to providing quality healthcare,” he said.
“South Africa needs all its health facilities to be well equipped, have sufficient professional and auxiliary staff, and be properly managed and led,” he said.
Cape Times