The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) reproached the Gauteng Department of Health for its clumsy attempt to dismiss clinic doctors and then rehire them as service providers, despite a critical shortage of doctors at clinics and hospitals.
During the Gauteng Legislature’s debate on the Department’s 2025/26 budget, the Freedom Front Plus expressed its disapproval of the Department’s treatment of medical practitioners, who form the frontline of healthcare, especially for poor individuals without private medical coverage.
The Department was previously exposed for refusing to reappoint doctors whose contracts had expired and were working at clinics across Gauteng.
In response, the Department suddenly requested the doctors to create companies so they could be contracted. These new requirements were informally communicated to the doctors via SMS.
There was no attempt by the department to first consult with the doctors.
The Freedom Front Plus addressed written questions about this to the MEC for Health, Nomanto Nkomo-Ralehoko. In her reply, she admitted that there had been no consultation with the doctors in question, and that delays in national and provincial budgets prompted the steps.
Still, with the delayed budgets set to be finalised, it was reckless of the Department to take such drastic steps.
Meanwhile, some doctors obtained a court order to be reinstated at clinics.
The party laments the fact that the public was unable to consult doctors at clinics, but is relieved that the status quo will now be restored.
The party also raised several other issues, including missing patient files in hospitals, poor infrastructure, such as leaking roofs, inadequate toilet facilities and cramped consultation spaces. There is also a significant shortage of basic supplies such as linen and food.
This alarming state of affairs is exacerbated by the 9,9% reduction in the funds earmarked for facility management. The constant shortages of essential supplies, from linen to specialised food for patients, directly impact the quality of healthcare.
The Freedom Front Plus recommends that the Department starts using technology to address the needless red tape and shortcomings of the system.
Doctor shortages could be addressed through a provincial telemedicine system, enabling doctors to conduct consultations and provide advice in cases where a physical examination is not required.
For the management and payment of service providers, a blockchain-based payment system could be used to automatically process payments upon evidence of services rendered, measured against set criteria.
If fewer people are involved in administrative tasks, poor service delivery and irregular expenditure are less likely.
The Freedom Front Plus is pleased that the clinic doctors will soon be reinstated and that the party played a role in resolving the situation.
There is, however, still a lot of room for improvement in the Department of Health and the party will continue to fulfil its oversight role.
