Question NW652 to the Minister of Health
23 March 2023 - NW652
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) is the current waiting list of wheelchairs in each province, (b) steps has he taken to expedite the delivery thereof and (c) is the time frame within which he intends to resolve the crisis of wheelchair shortages?
Reply:
a) The waiting list of wheelchairs in each province is as follows:
|
Province |
Wheelchair waiting list |
|
Eastern Cape |
5140 |
|
Free State |
0 |
|
Gauteng |
181 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
166 |
|
Limpopo |
789 |
|
Mpumalanga |
67 |
|
North-West |
244 |
|
Northern Cape |
166 |
|
Western Cape |
0 |
b) Steps taken to address the waiting list.
According to the Provincial Departments of Health –
- Eastern Cape has placed orders and are awaiting delivery. They will also manage wheelchair supply as a project to reduce this waiting list.
- KwaZulu-Natal has placed orders and is awaiting delivery which will clear the waiting list.
- Limpopo will arrange that deliveries to take place at district offices for hospitals to collect nearby, thereby reducing the turnaround time.
- Mpumalanga will prioritize procurement early in the beginning of the financial year. The waiting list developed because of expiry of relevant transversal contract.
- North West will increase the budget in the 2023/24 financial year.
- Northern Cape commits to place orders by end April 2023.
- Gauteng is yet to advise
c) We are informed by the provinces that the backlog will be reduced by the end of July 2023.
END.