​Staff Writer
The Gauteng government is fast-tracking the application with National Treasury for the health infrastructure budget to rehabilitate and build new hospitals.
The new hospitals are earmarked for our province's Olievenhoutbosch, Diepsloot, Daveyton, Orange Farm and other townships.
Delivering the State of the Province Address on Monday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that in the new financial year, government has also completed and operationalised six new clinics that will bring much-needed services to the people of Hammanskraal, Daveyton, Soshanguve and Sebokeng.
"Healthcare facilities in townships must be the preferred healthcare centres for our
people," he said, referring to Mamelodi Regional Hospital as an example of how government is changing the face of public health from the worst-performing facility to a world-class facility.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng government has awarded R2 billion to Non-Governmental Organisations to fight against social ills coupled with stricter controls to monitor and prevent wasteful, unethical loss of public funds.
Addressing the Legislature, Lesufi said: "This sector … is riddled with squabbles and accounting irregularities.
"We are now appointing an independent audit team to audit all our Nongovernment organisations (NGOs) and redirect them to the new mandate of our provincial government. Our mandate is simple, care for the elderly, the vulnerable
and the poor."
To mitigate urban hunger, government has set aside R64 460 million for food parcels, especially for people in poverty-stricken communities.
In the current financial year, Gauteng has contributed R26 million to the dignity packs programme. Our dignity packs include a bar of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, body lotion, toilet roll, sanitary towel, facecloth, and toothbrush. 
The Premier also acknowledged the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poor and vulnerable, as the number of homeless people has increased. 
To this end, government has introduced a draft policy to manage homelessness in local municipalities.
"We have a system to support and care for the homeless. To date, we have relocated almost 3 000 homeless people and are giving them meals, medical support, clothing and shelter. He added that government is preparing systems to support them during the coming winter season," he added.