Several public hospitals and clinics in Gauteng lost their telephone service because of unpaid payments, making it difficult for patients to get to medical institutions in the province. This is according to Jack Bloom, a spokesman for DA Health, who expressed concern about the effects on patients and their families who have been unable to get in touch with hospitals for updates, appointments, or questions.
“Thousands of patients and worried family members have been unable to contact hospitals in Gauteng.” The Gauteng Health Department is urged by the DA to settle the phone costs as quickly as feasible, he declared.
Charlotte Maxeke, Steve Biko Academic, Thelle Mogoerane, Kopanong, and Weskoppies are among the hospitals that are impacted, according to Bloom.
On Monday, the Gauteng Health Department made public that regular Telkom lines were unavailable at the moment because of payment inquiries made over the service provider’s billing.
32 PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND A TOTAL OF 83 CLINICS WERE AFFECTED
Only 83 clinics, including 32 hospitals, are impacted out of nearly 360 clinics. Unfortunately, there have been a number of instances when Telkom sent invoices with descriptions of non-GDoH facilities, which prevented us from paying those charges as soon as feasible.
Corrections were requested from the service provider. On Monday, February 19, 2024, R4 million had already been paid, and today, Monday, February 26, 2024, another R3.4 million will be given. To settle the unpaid amount as soon as the bills are reconciled, it is now being validated, according to the department.
TELKOM AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT PARTNERING
According to the health department, communication with Telkom is ongoing.
“The Department has stated that it plans to honor its commitments where invoices are not in doubt, thus the GDoH is keeping up its engagement with Telkom to find a peaceful solution to resolve the disagreements without interfering with service delivery.
The Department is now moving its operations to the Gauteng Provincial Voice Network system run by the eGovernment Department as part of the long-term solution. This will significantly lower the expenses of communication both internally and externally among institutions.
According to them, 130 sites have already switched over to the new system.
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