Patients at ODI District Hospital in Mabopane, Tshwane, are experiencing increasing disruptions to healthcare services. Suppliers have begun cutting back on essential support after accumulating R33 million in unpaid bills from the hospital. Approximately 80% of this debt is overdue beyond the legally prescribed 30-day payment period, leaving many suppliers unable to pay staff or restock supplies.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, demanding urgent action to address the financial crisis at ODI Hospital to ensure suppliers are paid.
The startling information about the unpaid debt was revealed to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Portfolio Committee on Health and Wellness during a recent oversight visit to the hospital, where Finance Manager Charles Lesufi disclosed the extent of the unpaid bills.
While the DA is appalled by this discovery, we are not surprised, as we have consistently exposed the poor financial controls in the department led by the incompetent Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The MEC’s abject failure to implement sound financial controls is now affecting over one million residents served by this hospital.
These unpaid bills could further strain the upcoming budget cycle, as much of the new operational funding may need to cover historical debts because of limited cash at both the hospital and the Gauteng Department of Health.
The debt is also likely to affect the planned filling of at least 27 vacant posts at the hospital and the facility’s expansion plans. The hospital currently has only four accident and emergency/casualty beds, a few intensive care beds, often forcing patients to be ventilated in the casualty department and mental health patients to be accommodated in general medical wards due to overcrowding.
Health refurbishment projects must be prioritised to strengthen emergency units, theatres, maternity wards and mental health facilities across the province. However, these upgrades will have little impact if the underlying failures in the health system are not addressed. The Gauteng Department of Health must urgently fix its financial mismanagement, pay service providers on time, and ensure hospitals like ODI are properly resourced to deliver reliable healthcare.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have paid service providers on time to deliver services to the people of Mabopane. We would also have ensured the filling of vacancies and expansion of this important hospital to provide the best healthcare possible.
Yet, it can be done only with a competent Health MEC.