Chairperson, I thank the hon Boroto. The audit of health facilities was undertaken by the established task team on health and safety and according to a sampling of various areas across the country. A sample of 152 facilities was audited as per group type. A report has been compiled regarding recommendations to mitigate risks and gaps identified and steps that are being taken by provinces to implement these safety measures.
Some of the recommendations made include the following: upgrading the standard of perimeter protection at public health facilities, including fences, entrance points, gates and security guard rooms; the upgrading or installation of security systems at public health facilities, including access control systems, CCTV cameras, x-ray machines, walk through metal detectors, and security scanners; the establishment of security structures as a support function at all levels of public facilities; intensification of private security contract management; the establishment of mobile police stations in critical health facilities identified as hot spots, in many cases jointly with the SA Police Service; joint operations with the Public Relations Institute of South Africa, Prisa, the State Security Agency and the SA Police Service to ensure compliance with relevant pieces of legislation in relation to the provisions of static security in critical health facilities; fixed patrols for critical health facilities; visible policing in their respective policing areas; and development of national specifications on security systems and other physical security measures to be implemented.
The assessment of all health facilities in the country will be finalised as part of the implementation of quality norms and standards in our facilities.
We are also aware that there is a Bill on the introduction and establishment of the office of health standards compliance before Parliament. This will help reinforce the core standards.
The health facility audit that is currently under way will also strengthen the capacity of our health systems to respond optimally. I thank you.
Position regarding chief executive officers at public hospitals
61. Mr T A Mashamaite (ANC) asked the Minister of Health:
Whether all public hospitals have chief executive officers, CEOs; if not, (a) how many public hospitals do not have CEOs in each province and (b) what measures are in place to fill these vacancies; if so, how many of the (i) public hospitals have acting CEOs and (ii) acting CEOs have been in the position for more than a year?