Gauteng fast-tracks patient care

By Leon Engelbrecht, ITWeb senior writer

Johannesburg, 15 Aug 2007

Gauteng health MEC Brian Hlongwa plans to have a programme management unit (PMU) in place "before the last quarter of 2007" to "turn around healthcare delivery in Gauteng".

Hlongwa says the PMU is being established to fast-track a number of key health initiatives in Gauteng, including the "Quality of Health Care" programmes announced in the department's annual budget in June. This incorporates the introduction of smart cards and IT solutions to streamline patient care processes at hospitals and clinics.

"We are introducing project management principles into key activities of the department," says Hlongwa.

The department has also appointed a private sector consortium following a public tender process to assist it with project management.

The new office will be a small unit reporting directly to head of department Sybil Ngcobo, but with the ability to draw in the skills and knowledge from other managers in the department.

Hlongwa adds there will be a distinct shift in emphasis towards the vigorous promotion of healthy lifestyles as an alternative to a reliance on treatment and medication. "More than 70% of patients who visit our facilities suffer from ailments that could have been prevented. We have to reach them with correct information and support - before they reach our hospitals."

Getting smart

Hlongwa also promises the department will "soon" introduce a new smart card that will streamline processes at hospitals and clinics, shorten queues and reduce waiting times. These cards will also contain patients' medical history to enable doctors and professionals to make faster diagnoses.

The department will soon put out requests for proposals to run pilot projects at selected facilities. The results will be thoroughly evaluated and will be followed by a public tender process.

The introduction of project management skills principles will lead to a more efficient health department. "It will look at all aspects of budgeting, expenditure and the allocation of resources. One of the short-term objectives is to receive a clean audit report from the auditor general's office in the 2008/9 financial year," he says.

Key for 2010

Hlongwa says the Emergency Management Services (EMS) is a key component in the province's planning for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The province recently started the process to take over responsibility for EMS from local government.

"We want uniform standards to apply across the province and have proper emergency plans in place that will enable us to deal effectively with any situation that might arise," adds Hlongwa.

However, Democratic Alliance health spokesman Jack Bloom cautions the department may well want to "walk before they run". While he supports the smart card concept, he laments that of the province's 285 clinics, only four have e-mail. "They need to get the basics right first."