​Rofhiwa Tshitahe-Marubini 
The Gauteng Department of Health has proved its resilience by finding a balance between providing a quality health care service with limited resources and containing the spread and impact of COVID-19 during the 2021/2022 financial year. 
The Gauteng province faces high levels of in-migration, unemployment, poverty and inequality, these social ills and the pandemic significantly strained the health system, said Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi.
According to Mokgethi, the fire that damaged part of Charlotte Maxeke hospital, leadership vacuum, and allegations of corruption have continued to challenge the system affecting healthcare outcomes.  
"The department encountered multiple storms during the year under review, but through its resilient workforce, it continued to fulfil its mandate of providing health care to public patients and to private patients whose medical cover is exhausted before the end of the year." 
She said inefficiencies, were being addressed head-on. 
"We anticipate that the modernisation; social and behavioural change communication-related interventions will support the department's drive to improve governance and total quality management for the benefit of its health care users and providers."
Despite these challenges, there were pockets of success in various priority areas, such as expanding e-Health services to reduce queues and waiting times, ensuring health facilities comply with standards, strengthening the provision of antiretrovirals (ARVs), TB screening and providing treatment for vulnerable groups.
The number of patients using the province's Primary Health Care facilities increased by 10%, from 16.9 million in the 2020 financial year to 18.6 million in 2021.
Efforts to improve the quality of care provided through our facilities saw 363 clinics assessed for Ideal Clinic status, with 92.4% succeeding. Ideal Clinic Standards are open on time, patient-friendly and safe, and supported by adequate medical supplies and clean equipment. 
To improve access to health care services outside of office hours, during the reporting year, the department activated two additional Community Health Centres (CHCs): Refentse and Boekenhout CHCs. This brought the number of CHCs providing 24-hour services to 36. 
There was a 15% increase in the number of HIV tests during the reporting year, with a total of 5 014 704 million and the department retained over a million clients on ART treatment. 
Whilst the adult viral load suppression rate is at 91%, the child viral load suppression has not improved and remains at 65%. 
The 2021/2022 annual report notes that caregivers' inconsistent check-ups and poor attendance resulted in missed doses and treatment interruptions for this continued low suppression rate amongst children.
Regarding TB services, 82.1% of the 22 327 clients diagnosed were initiated on treatment.
In a quest to expand care for oncology patients, the department has established a Cancer Treatment Task Team, whose purpose is to serve as an advisory for cancer treatment and address the cancer waiting list.
The department reduced medicine collection waiting times at facilities through the Dablap Meds, formally known as the Centralised Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution Programme. 
A total of 1 085 232 patients with chronic health conditions were enrolled on the programme, which allows patients to collect their pre-packed medication at external or facility-based pick-up points. 
Gauteng health which has a workforce of almost 90 000, continued to set new standards in the sector. 
The George Mukhari Academic Hospital introduced metabolic and bariatric surgery - making it the first public health facility in Gauteng and the second in the country to be internationally accredited to perform surgery. 
Since 2020, the unit has seen more than 200 patients and has operated on over 140 patients from Gauteng, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. 
The provincial government continues to refurbish some of its facilities in partnership with non-governmental organisations.  
A new wing of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Burns Unit, a partnership between Wits University, is under construction thanks to a donation of R70 million from the Roy McAlpine Foundation. 
In 2021, the department opened the Zakithi Nkosi Paediatric Oncology Clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital - bringing early cancer detection and prevention facilities closer to the community.