Gauteng Health Department Assures Public of Medicine Availability

Natalie Nyathi

The Gauteng Health Department has assured residents that public health facilities in the province continue to have reliable access to essential medicines, despite challenges in the global supply chain.

This reassurance comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) raised concerns about delays at the medical supply depot. They claimed that these delays have caused patients to wait longer than usual for their prescriptions at hospitals and clinics. However, the Gauteng Health Department has dismissed these statements as misleading, stating that no healthcare facility has reported any ongoing shortages of essential medications.

Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba emphasized that Gauteng is performing well compared to other provinces in terms of medicine availability. He reported that hospitals in the province maintain an impressive average availability rate of 95% for all formulary medicines and 98% for essential medicines. This performance positions Gauteng as the leading province in the country regarding the availability of medications.

The department aims to alleviate any public concerns related to medicine access and is committed to ensuring that all patients receive the medications they need without unnecessary delays.

By actively monitoring the situation and addressing any issues that arise, the Gauteng Health Department is dedicated to maintaining a high standard of healthcare for its residents, ensuring that essential medicines remain accessible to everyone.