The focus, he said, is on quality patient care and sound hospital management. He maintained that the appointment of hospital general managers was having a positive effect on the performance of hospitals, based on key hospital performance indicators. The average length of stay has been steadily declining. The low bed occupancy rate in our hospitals suggests that most cases are adequately dealt with at primary health care level, and there is therefore little need to transfer them to hospitals. The number of outpatients seen in hospitals has also been declining, partly because many minor ailments are treated at clinics and health centres.
Doctors also visit clinics and health centres on a regular basis.
This is as a result of the Cuban programme and the community service doctors and dentists. The MEC also announced that starting on the first of April this year, our hospitals will be charging fees for services provided. The fees will be close to, but slightly more affordable than medical aid rates. Dr Sefularo said that the department will be developing more modern services in Mafikeng and Rustenburg, and other provincial hospitals. In addition, the department will be forming partnerships between its provincial hospitals and the Medical Schools of Pretoria, Wits and Medunsa.