The Gauteng Department of Health says 11 health facilities were unreachable amid an ongoing dispute with Telkom. (Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

• SAMA has called on the Gauteng Health Department to address concerns regarding its unreachable health facilities. 
• According to the department, 11 health facilities cannot be reached via telephone. 
• This was due to an ongoing dispute with service provider Telkom. 

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has urgently called on the Gauteng health department to address concerns regarding unreachable health facilities in the province. 

This was after the department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, confirmed that 11 health facilities were unreachable amid an ongoing dispute with Telkom. 

Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the department was migrating its facilities to its Voice Network system.

In a statement on Saturday, SAMA said it was “deeply troubling” that essential facilities such as Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, among others, were impacted by the crisis.

“These institutions are vital pillars of health care delivery in Gauteng, serving countless patients in need. The inability to settle the Telkom bill has resulted in disrupted telephone lines, rendering these facilities practically unreachable,” said SAMA.

It also added that the situation hampered day-to-day operations and posed severe risks to patient care and safety.

READ | 11 Gauteng hospitals still on hold amid ongoing engagement with Telkom over phone bill dispute

“We call upon the Gauteng Department of Health to swiftly resolve the unpaid telephone bill matter and ensure the restoration of essential services in all affected healthcare facilities,” said SAMA. 

The medical association said there was an urgent need to implement robust measures to prevent similar crises from arising in the future.

“As advocates for patient-centred care and the well-being of healthcare professionals, SAMA remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to address systemic challenges and uphold the highest standards of healthcare delivery across South Africa,” SAMA said.

News24 previously reported that department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the number of unreachable health facilities amid its mounting Telkom bill has reduced significantly. 

Modiba said the department processed invoices due for payment despite its grievances regarding the “discrepancies” with Telkom. 

He said:

Modiba added that the department was migrating facilities to the Gauteng Provincial Voice Network system operated by the eGovernment Department.

He also said the department expected the new service to reduce the cost of internal and external communication.