​Rofhiwa Marubini
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) intends to use its budget to transform the system and improve the quality, safety and overall coverage of health services.
For the 2022/23 financial year, the department received a total of R59.4 billion and a further R178.2 billion over the 2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
This was announced by MEC for Health Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi when she presented the budget vote for the department at the Gauteng Legislature.
"The budget is aimed at ensuring stability and improving the quality and overall coverage of health services to the people of Gauteng," she said. 
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a total amount of R1.5 billion has been allocated for the vaccination roll-out programme. 
The department will launch the Street-to-Street Campaign in the first quarter. The campaign will provide a targeted and holistic approach for TB screening services, HIV Counselling and Testing and Management, Hypertension screening, Diabetes screening, Vitamin A and Deworming, Health Promotion and education amongst others. to the doorstep of communities. 
To achieve the objective of reducing the burden of HIV, AIDS and TB, as outlined in the United Nations Programme 90-90-90 strategy, the department has set aside R6.2 billion.
This will see the revitalisation of the HIV counselling and testing campaign as well as the roll-out of the Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
The Gauteng province has 1180182 clients on Antiretroviral therapy, whereas 82.1% of the 22 327 clients diagnosed with Drug-resistant TB were initiated on TB treatment.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will receive R1.6 billion to improve emergency response times and 30 ambulances have been procured.
Additionally, Gauteng Scheduled Emergency Transport (G-SET) - a shuttle service transporting patients along pre-determined routes at scheduled times - is being piloted.
To expand clinic service platforms, Phillip Moyo in Ekurhuleni, Mandisa Shiceka in Tshwane and Sebokeng Zone 17 in Sedibeng are earmarked for opening.
Another key focus will be the filling of critical posts. R35.2 billion has been set aside to sustain the current staff complement and fast track the filling of vacant posts.
"This is part of the concerted efforts to strengthen leadership and administration capabilities in the department, and to improve the quality of healthcare in the province," said Mokgethi.
About R7.4 million has been allocated to training and capacitating Community Health Workers (CHW) to improve service offerings.