In a drive to curb the shortage of medication in public health facilities across the province, Gauteng Department of Health has awarded contracts worth more than R32 million to two pharmaceutical companies.
The 24 months contracts include the distribution of pharmaceuticals from the Medical Supplies Depot to Gauteng Department of Health institutions as well as the supply and distribution of pharmaceutical items from suppliers to the Gauteng department of health institutions
The deliveries are done twice a week to four central hospitals and once a week to three tertiary hospitals, six regional hospitals, 33 district hospitals, 77 Primary Health Care clinics and Community Health Care centres, 12 Emergency Medical Services facilities and five district pharmacies.
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MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu said each of the trucks has a real time tracking device monitoring the movement of the truck throughout its route to ensure no deviation from the scheduled trip.
“The trucks are enclosed to protect stock from weather effects they are lockable with a tamper proof locking mechanism and bolt seals with serial numbers,” said Mahlangu.
“The trucks also have a scanning system to scan and track each and every rolltainer .
“This linking mechanism is used to monitor accurate handover of stock to the institutions and the return of the rolltainers to the depot,” said Mahlangu.
The system provides a real-time traceability report of the trolleys thus assisting with asset management.
This contract will help curb medical shortages in hospitals and clinics.
