Gauteng hospitals to get new machines

At least R12m has been spent buying new equipment for Gauteng hospitals and filling vacancies at these hospitals according to a provincial health department statement.

The health department said on Thursday (6 December) that the Dr George Mukhari Academic hospital recently received R10m worth of new equipment including cardiac monitors, thoracoscopy sets, a paediatric bronchoscopy, a laparoscopic camera system, and blood warmers.

"The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital would receive new equipment early next year," the department's spokesman Simon Zwane said.

"Charlotte Maxeke has employed about 150 nurses, 56 doctors and other support and administrative staff," he added.

The expenditure was part of efforts to improve Gauteng's health services.

All hospitals are under orders to improve the attitude of staff, ensure cleanliness, reduce waiting times, improve patient safety, impose stricter infection controls and make sure medicines are available says Gauteng's health MEC Hope Papo

Zwane said the appointment of anaesthesiologists and nurses at the Steve Biko hospital, in Pretoria, had ensured the reactivation of three theatres and intensive care units.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge