In a province grappling with immense healthcare demands, Gauteng’s Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has steered the department toward unprecedented achievements. First appointed in October 2022 and reappointed in July 2024 following provincial elections, Nkomo-Ralehoko’s leadership has revitalized infrastructure, embraced digital innovation, and prioritized community care, as outlined in the department’s latest report released on December 6. Her tenure has not only addressed chronic challenges but also set new benchmarks for public health in South Africa.
At the core of theGauteng Department of Health’sstrategy is a robust focus on infrastructure, ensuring that hospitals and clinics are not only functional but also equipped to handle growing demands. In the last financial year, the department successfully completed refurbishment and improvement projects across the province. These initiatives targeted critical areas such as emergency units, operating theatres, maternity wards, clinics, and mental health facilities.
Frontline staff have embraced the MEC’s rallying cry –“I serve with a smile”– turning every interaction into a moment of dignity. TheMEC’s Help Desk, launched under Nkomo-Ralehoko, fields patient complaints within 24 hours, resolves 92% on first contact, and has slashed waiting-time grievances by 68%. From bedside manner to discharge planning, the culture shift is tangible: happier patients, prouder staff, and a province that finallyfeelsthe care.
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The Gauteng Department of Health launched the”I Serve With a Smile”campaign across all hospitals, clinics, and districts in the Gauteng province. Acknowledging that staff behaviour is often affected by occupational stress, long working hours, and personal burdens, the campaign is combined with an internal Employee Wellness Programme. This holistic approach aims to improve the work environment, enhance patient experience and support the overall well-being of the staff.
Under MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko’s watchful eye, the Gauteng Department of Health has completed 27 major refurbishment projects in the last financial year, focusing on emergency units, theatres, maternity wards, clinics, and mental health facilities. Standout accomplishments include the extension of the Maternity Ward at Jubilee District Hospital, a new 60-bed mental health ward at Bertha Gxowa Hospital, structural repairs at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, and the full refurbishment of Mamelodi Regional Hospital. The recent opening of the Sicelo Clinic in Sedibeng marks a milestone in expanding primary care to underserved communities.
Ongoing initiatives, such as upgrading Kopanong Hospital to a tertiary facility and the fire recovery program atCharlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital—targeted for completion by January 2026—demonstrate her commitment to long-term resilience. The introduction of a Planned Preventative Maintenance Model has minimized disruptions, with projects like the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Lab at 98% completion and Khutsong Clinic at 80% underscoring efficient progress. Looking ahead, ongoing projects signal even greater ambition.
To prevent future disruptions, the department has implemented a Planned Preventative Maintenance Model across all facilities, addressing plumbing, electrical, and structural issues proactively. The Gauteng Department of Health is also Implementing biometric body tagging using fingerprint technology for real-time patient traceability and enhancing digital mortuary processes for accuracy. Nkomo-Ralehoko has championed the integration of cutting-edge medical equipment, installing new MRI machines at Steve Biko, Dr.
George Mukhari, and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospitals to bridge diagnostic gaps. Advancements in cancer treatment include Linear Accelerators at Chris Hani Baragwanath and Dr. George Mukhari, set for 2026 completion.
A R100 million recapitalization grant, with R50 million dedicated to laundry machinery, has resolved operational hurdles. Digital innovations flourish with the Health Information System’s Clinical Module live at key sites and the Picture Archiving and Communication System rolled out across 18 community health centres and 17 hospitals.Investments of R81.4 million in queue management and record digitization, plus R14 million for LowDox forensic machines and biometric tagging, highlight her focus on efficiency and accuracy.
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