​Mampe Marapyane, Teboho Matshatsha & Vuyo Sabani
Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Bandile Masuku has promised to invest R1 billion in maintenances and refurbishment of public hospital in this current financial year. MEC Masuku said this on Tuesday when he tabled the Department's R50.8 billion Budget Vote at the Legislature. 
 
MEC Masuku stressed that the Department will work towards ensuring that all its facilities are ready for the implementation of universal healthcare, commonly referred to as National Health Insurance (NHI).
 
"In line with our plans to get our facilities ready for NHI and making sure that they are Occupational Health Safety (OHS) compliant, the current financial year will see us invest in excess of R1 billion for maintenance and refurbishment," said MEC Masuku. 
 
Dr Masuku added: "Health infrastructure forms part of society's social assets, and therefore important for eradicating asset poverty among our people. Some these resources will be directed to the ten hospitals requiring urgent improvements." 
 
Furthermore, MEC Masuku said the Department will prioritise the hospitals which were identified by Gauteng Premier David Makhura in his State of the Province Address. 
 
"In order to achieve Premier David Makhura's mandate of prioritising  identified hospitals as a measure of transformation of healthcare in Gauteng, we will have to source additional resources towards the improvement of health care at Bheki Mlangeni, Jubilee, Mamelodi, Tembisa, Tambo Memorial, Edenvale, Dr George Mukhari, Kopanong and Sebokeng 'Complex' and Thelle Mogoerane hospitals. 
 
Dr Masuku added that the selection of these hospitals is not only based on worst performance but also, "on the potential of what an integrated, innovative and responsive health system in Gauteng can do".  
 
With regards to quality of care, MEC Masuku said: "Improving patient experience means compliance with National Core Standards such as; upholding patient rights, ensuring patient safety, ensuring that infrastructure is OHS compliant, and the improvement of clinical care."