MEC Dieketseng Mashego outlines strategies to improve access to quality healthcare.
The provincial Department of Health has set out a focused and results-driven plan for the 2026/27 financial year.
Key among its targets is the patient experience of care (PEC), which will evaluate issues such as waiting times, cleanliness, medicine availability at clinics and hospitals.
The overall strategies will assist in improving access to primary healthcare services, strengthening emergency medical response times, upgrading health facilities and medical equipment, which in turn will enhance patient experience and quality of care.
MEC Dieketseng Mashego, said the department is moving with urgency to strengthen frontline services and restore public confidence in the healthcare system.
“This financial year is about action, accountability, and improving the lived experience of every patient who walks into our facilities. We are prioritising practical interventions that will make a real difference on the ground,” she said. Mashego said the department will implement targeted measures to reduce long queues at clinics and hospitals by improving patient flow, strengthening triage systems, and ensuring that patients are attended to at the appropriate level of care.
She said clinics will remain the backbone of the healthcare system, with renewed focus on ensuring communities receive accessible, timely, and appropriate care closer to where they live.
She went on to say Emergency Medical Services will be reinforced to improve response times through better coordination and deployment of ambulances, particularly in high-demand and rural areas.
“At the same time, the department will accelerate the upgrading of health facilities and the provision of essential medical equipment to ensure that services are delivered in safe, functional, and dignified environments. “Recognising the pressure on healthcare workers, the department will continue to strengthen its workforce through targeted placements, support, and skills development to improve service delivery. Prevention and community health programmes will be intensified to promote early care-seeking behaviour and reduce avoidable pressure on clinics and hospitals.”
Mashego emphasised that the success of these priorities depends on both system improvements and community cooperation.
“We are committed to building a healthcare system that is efficient, and centred on the needs of our people. This requires all of us to play our part,” she said.