Gauteng Health owed R128m by other government departments

18 September 2017

The cash-strapped Gauteng Health Department is owed R127.6 million by other government departments, much of which has been outstanding for many years.

This is revealed in the Department's 2016/17 Annual Report which also shows an astounding R1.9 billion write-off for patient debt.

The North West Department of Health owes the highest amount for patient fees - R38.4 million.

Other large amounts owing for patient fees are as follows:

Mpumulanga Department of Health - R19.1 million

Department of Correctional Services - R17.4 million

Limpopo Department of Health - R12.9 million

South African Police Services - R4.6 million

Even the National Department of Health owes Gauteng money  - R25.9 million for the Cuba medical training programme, and R4.4 million for HPV grants.

It is distressing that the Department is owed large amounts of money by other government departments when it is struggling to pay its bills, and has even had assets attached by the Sheriff of the Court.

More effort should be put into collecting ordinary patient fees, rather than writing off R1.9 billion.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura should also be much more assertive in getting money from other government entities to assist our struggling health department.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 18 September 2017