'We're on top of the situation'

The Gauteng department of health - under MEC Hope Papo and head of department Nomonde Xundu - has addressed a myriad of problems bedevilling Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.

Speaking on their behalf, spokesman Simon Zwane said the department was aware of "staff shortages" at the hospital.

He said the hospital was on Friday given the go-ahead by the department to fillvacancies.

"Please note that the hospital has been given approval to fill the following vacant posts: 10 specialists, 20 medical officers, 10 professional nurses, six radiographers, two clinical technicians, procurement deputy director and assistant director, IT deputy director, one clinical psychiatrist, a pharmacy intern and director human resource management," Zwane wrote in an e-mail.

Zwane was adamant the department was filling the vacant posts.

"The head of department [Xundu] held a meeting with CEOs on Friday to discuss measures to be put in place to speed up the filling of critical positions. The management of the hospital and the central office are addressing these issues."

According to Zwane, the moratorium on filling posts did not extend to doctors and nurses.

"It is not entirely true that the moratorium is to blame because the moratorium does not affect critical core posts of medical personnel.

"The moratorium is on administration and support staff."

Asked about the budget shortfall at the hospital, which was allocated about R1-billion less than was spent last year, Zwane said that the department would step in to help.

"The budget of the hospital is being addressed through the shifting of funds from areas where there was over-budgeting [sic].

"The hospital will continue to receive support from the department to ensure that it continues to run," Zwane said.

"There is a need for proper management of resources across the board to ensure that all hospitals spend according to the budgets that they have been allocated."

But Professor Christopher Szabo, acting chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, last night said he "had received no notification about any Friday meeting or any approval for the filling of any posts".

National Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi:

The minister said he will be available to comment today.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane:

No response was received to inquiries about what she - as ultimate head of the province - was doing about the disastrous state of health. Her office did not answer e-mails or phone calls.