City hospitals to be included in R6.7 billion budget

Pietermaritzburg health care facilities are among the hospitals in the province set to receive repairs worth R6.7 billion in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

Northdale and Grey’s hospitals have been earmarked to receive repairs to the value of R20 million and R29 million respectively.

The Department of Health receives the second highest portion of the provincial budget at 35.3%, with a budget of R49.6 billion.

The MEC for Finance, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said during her budget speech last week that the bulk of the department’s budget allocation is for the delivery of primary health care services to the approximately 87.4% uninsured population of KZN.

“At Northdale Hospital, an amount of R20 million is budgeted for roof repairs; and at Grey’s, R29 million is budgeted for roof repairs and upgrades to the accommodation facilities for doctors and nurses.”

Also, in a bid to ensure improved ease of access to health care, Dube-Ncube said the department will continue with the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme that makes it easier for chronic patients to collect their monthly medications from central distribution centres.

“KZN has 791 940 active patients in this programme. There are 810 external pick-up points where patients go to collect their medication. The department is also working with an NGO to introduce a Pelebox, where patients go to collect the medication using their ID as a code to open the box. There are already 23 peleboxes in use, with eight in eThekwini, three in Zululand, four in Umgungundlovu, three in uThukela and five in Amajuba,” she said.

Harry Gwala Hospital (formerly Edendale Hospital) has also been named as one of the hospitals in the province that will be upgraded from district hospital to regional hospital. She said this move will aid in improving access to specialised services.

Dube-Ncube added that centres have been identified to provide for the healthcare of children born with Cerebral Palsy. One of these include the Pietermaritzburg Assessment and Therapy Centre.

“As part of ongoing efforts to reduce the medico-legal bill, the department will continue to equip seven identified centres of excellence that will attend to the healthcare needs of children who are born with Cerebral Palsy and other ailments,” said Dube-Ncube.