Date: 29/03/05
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Ramokgopa: Handing over of Computerised Tomography scanner
Speech by Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa at the handing over of the CT scanner, Johannesburg Hospital
29 March 2005
Programme Director
The Head of Department
Senior managers
Hospital board members
Invited guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to be here with you this morning. It is the first time that I am visiting this hospital after it was named the best health institution in Johannesburg in a survey conducted among the readers of The Star newspaper last year. I want to congratulate management and staff for this good rating. We are all proud of the efforts you are making to maintain good standards of care. Keep it up.
The provision of equipment to hospitals and clinics is a priority for this government. The importance of this issue is indicated in the department’s strategic goals which specify that we will operate smarter and invest in a health technology, communication and information system. In another relevant goal we make a commitment to strengthen the district health system and provide caring responsive and quality health services at all levels.
In the past the acquisition of technology in the department was characterised by a total lack of systematic planning. This resulted in fragmented, inequitable, inefficient and ineffective distribution of resources.
We have now overcome this. The acquisition of health technology is now guided by a policy framework which sets out clear guidelines and provides a long term strategy to improve standards and quality services.
We understand and affirm that the provision of new equipment and good maintenance of these resources are critical to the delivery of health care in our province. The condition of facilities and equipment influences workflow, and the ability of staff to care for patients appropriately and efficiently.
Efficient planning, procurement and maintenance of medical equipment require that:
* We ensure optimal and sustainable use of health technology resources.
* We base acquisition on clearly defined needs. * We plan for the maintenance expenses of the health technology.
Recently the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research conducted a condition-based assessment of all our facilities. The assessment revealed that the condition of Gauteng health facilities is an average of 3.83 on a five point scale. The reason for this is the huge maintenance backlogs that we still have.
Our focus in this financial year (2004/05) has been on improving the condition of our facilities, reducing the backlog and acquiring new equipment. The total budget of R331.67 million was set aside, of which R250 67 million was for the elimination of backlogs.
The acquisition of the CT scanner that we are handing over today was therefore done in keeping with our broad strategic plan, and guided by a sound policy framework. Last year I opened an angiography unit at George Mukhari Hospital emphasising the importance we place on equipping our facilities with appropriate high quality technology.
I am certain that the scanner we have installed here at Johannesburg Hospital will save us more lives and improve the health of the poor people we care for. I have no doubt that the public will see value for the R11 million spent on acquiring this piece of technology.
We have plans to install similar scanners at four more hospitals, i.e. Helen Joseph, Coronation, Kalafong and Sebokeng to ensure that more of our staff and patients have access to the latest health technology.
The provision of this technology will ensure that the transformation of the health system continues apace. Thank you to Phillips for coming on board and showing that you are able to provide us with this kind of facility. I invite you to look beyond the health department for partnership. I invite you to partner with the government at the provincial and national department. I also invite you to look at transformation within your organisation to meet national goals.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 March 2005
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Ramokgopa: Handing over of Computerised Tomography scanner
Speech by Gauteng Health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa at the handing over of the CT scanner, Johannesburg Hospital
29 March 2005
Programme Director
The Head of Department
Senior managers
Hospital board members
Invited guests
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to be here with you this morning. It is the first time that I am visiting this hospital after it was named the best health institution in Johannesburg in a survey conducted among the readers of The Star newspaper last year. I want to congratulate management and staff for this good rating. We are all proud of the efforts you are making to maintain good standards of care. Keep it up.
The provision of equipment to hospitals and clinics is a priority for this government. The importance of this issue is indicated in the department’s strategic goals which specify that we will operate smarter and invest in a health technology, communication and information system. In another relevant goal we make a commitment to strengthen the district health system and provide caring responsive and quality health services at all levels.
In the past the acquisition of technology in the department was characterised by a total lack of systematic planning. This resulted in fragmented, inequitable, inefficient and ineffective distribution of resources.
We have now overcome this. The acquisition of health technology is now guided by a policy framework which sets out clear guidelines and provides a long term strategy to improve standards and quality services.
We understand and affirm that the provision of new equipment and good maintenance of these resources are critical to the delivery of health care in our province. The condition of facilities and equipment influences workflow, and the ability of staff to care for patients appropriately and efficiently.
Efficient planning, procurement and maintenance of medical equipment require that:
* We ensure optimal and sustainable use of health technology resources.
* We base acquisition on clearly defined needs. * We plan for the maintenance expenses of the health technology.
Recently the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research conducted a condition-based assessment of all our facilities. The assessment revealed that the condition of Gauteng health facilities is an average of 3.83 on a five point scale. The reason for this is the huge maintenance backlogs that we still have.
Our focus in this financial year (2004/05) has been on improving the condition of our facilities, reducing the backlog and acquiring new equipment. The total budget of R331.67 million was set aside, of which R250 67 million was for the elimination of backlogs.
The acquisition of the CT scanner that we are handing over today was therefore done in keeping with our broad strategic plan, and guided by a sound policy framework. Last year I opened an angiography unit at George Mukhari Hospital emphasising the importance we place on equipping our facilities with appropriate high quality technology.
I am certain that the scanner we have installed here at Johannesburg Hospital will save us more lives and improve the health of the poor people we care for. I have no doubt that the public will see value for the R11 million spent on acquiring this piece of technology.
We have plans to install similar scanners at four more hospitals, i.e. Helen Joseph, Coronation, Kalafong and Sebokeng to ensure that more of our staff and patients have access to the latest health technology.
The provision of this technology will ensure that the transformation of the health system continues apace. Thank you to Phillips for coming on board and showing that you are able to provide us with this kind of facility. I invite you to look beyond the health department for partnership. I invite you to partner with the government at the provincial and national department. I also invite you to look at transformation within your organisation to meet national goals.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 March 2005
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)
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