Gauteng hospitals to clear all debt by June

"Payments to suppliers have improved significantly since February when the Gauteng provincial government released R1 billion to the department to pay suppliers.

"This in turn has encouraged suppliers to release more stock to provincial health facilities. Suppliers owed less than R100 million will receive their money in May and those owed over R100 million will be paid in June," it said.

From April 2011 to date, the department has processed payments totaling R11.7 billion for all suppliers including those who provide medicines. Once payments are made, suppliers are contacted to fast track deliveries.

A meeting was held with suppliers on 2 March to discuss payment plans and to negotiate progress on deliveries of priority pharmaceuticals.

"Following this meeting, 39 payment plans were issued to suppliers who were present at this meeting. Payment plans to other suppliers were made available by 12 March 2012.

"The department will continue to verify the validity of invoices submitted through the accrual clearing house which has been established with the Gauteng Department of Finance.

"Through this process, the department has identified instances where invoices were submitted for good or services that were actually not delivered," it said.

Invoices worth R1 million for goods or services not rendered have been identified and will not be honoured, said the department, adding that duplicate invoices worth R188 000 for goods and services already paid for have also been isolated and will not be honoured.

Suppliers who have queries about payments are encouraged to email their enquiries to az.vog.gnetuag@ifaltoM.suoicerP or to call the following numbers: +27(0)11 355 7633/49/55 or +27 (0)11 355 7747/9.