Wellness is a matter of life and death for Gauteng

Not too long ago, the province of Gauteng was famous for its groundbreaking medical milestones, such as the HIV/Aids research and antiretroviral treatment programmes carried out by the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto in the 1990s and 2000s.

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Meanwhile, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital gave birth to breakthroughs in cardiac and renal care.

In recent years, the Gauteng Department of Health has been hard at work to restore this rich legacy in the healthcare sector. This ambition is at the heart of the department's 2020-2025 strategy, which comprises six key priorities, namely improving patient experiences, enhancing clinical services, promoting health education, strengthening governance and leadership, and fostering job creation and economic growth.

Despite budgetary constraints and a litany of governance challenges, the department has consistently made strides towards achieving these objectives.

With an average maintenance budget of around R2.2 million per year for each facility, the department has managed to address some of its main priorities, including upgrades to mental health and neonatal programmes and tackling water shortages.

Mental health improvements

It goes without saying that the province's mental health programme has enjoyed the highest priority in the wake of the Life Esidimeni scandal.

The department has completed phase one of the refurbishment of Bertha Gxowa mental hospital, consisting of a 30-bed facility. The second phase of this project will have the same capacity and will be completed next year. The department has also completed a 12-bed mental ward at Bheki Mlangeni hospital as well as the Weskoppies mental hospital.