GAUTENG HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENT AG'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The Gauteng Department of Health has noted the comments made by the Gauteng DA caucus leader, Jack Bloom in relations to the Auditor-General's report on the use of consultants by the department.
The AG's report quoted by Mr. Bloom refers to some of the issues that are under investigation by the Special Investigative Unit. The issues highlighted are not new and the department has reported on progress made to address them in the past. These amongst others, included:
- The establishment of a contract management unit in supply chain management from 1 October 2010.
- The termination of some of the service contractors in the 2009-10 financial year.
- An establishment of a library to document all contracts available at the department.
- The development of a recruitment plan and post-filling plan.
- Filling of critical positions in finance and human resources.
- The department has also changed the consultant that runs the asset management system.
- Certain contracts have been referred to the Special Investigations Unit.
"The department is continuing to work with the Special Investigative Unit on the cases it is investigating to ensure that there is full accountability and those who are responsible are brought to book".
The turnaround strategy adopted by the department in 2012 is precisely intended to strengthen controls and ensure that similar occurrences do not happen again.
Mr Bloom is fully aware of these facts but he chooses to peddle old information to mislead the public.
MEC Hope Papo has assured the public that the department is committed to working with the office of the Auditor General to implement all the recommendations and ensure that discipline and improved financial performance is attained by the department.
"Mr Bloom's utterance is nothing but pure public relations gimmick aimed at shifting public focus on the positive results brought about by implementation of the department's turnaround strategy".
Statement issued by Simon Zwane, Gauteng Department of Health, October 7 2013
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
