Gauteng Health Fast-Tracks Recruitment and Repairs at Tembisa Hospital

The Gauteng Department of Health says it is accelerating the recruitment of healthcare workers and administrative staff at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital as part of efforts to improve service delivery and reduce patient waiting times at the facility.

The department has assured residents that urgent measures are being implemented to address staffing shortages, strengthen clinical oversight, and improve hospital operations amid growing public concern over healthcare services at one of Gauteng’s busiest public hospitals.

The department is currently filling vacancies across several key areas, including medical services, nursing, clinical support, therapeutic services, and administration.

Staffing Shortages Affecting Patient Care

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, vacant positions at the hospital have placed significant pressure on healthcare services and contributed to delays in patient care.

“The vacancy rate is negatively impacting clinical oversight and supervision and resulting in lengthy waiting times, which lead to numerous complaints from patients,” the department said in a statement.

Officials acknowledged that staff shortages have affected the hospital’s ability to provide efficient and timely healthcare services to surrounding communities.

Tembisa Hospital serves a large and densely populated area in Gauteng and frequently experiences high patient volumes, placing additional strain on existing medical personnel and infrastructure.

Recruitment Process Being Accelerated

The department said it is working closely with hospital management to expedite recruitment processes and ensure vacant posts are filled as quickly as possible.

Interviews have already been completed for:

• Six doctors

• One nursing position

• Three clinical support and therapeutic services positions

The successful candidates are expected to begin employment during June and July.

Officials confirmed that recruitment efforts are continuing across multiple departments to address critical shortages.

Progress on Medical and Nursing Vacancies

The department provided updates on the broader recruitment process underway at the facility.

Of the 25 medical vacancies currently identified:

• 22 positions have already been advertised

• Eight positions are currently in the shortlisting phase

In the nursing category:

• Eight nursing positions were advertised

• Two candidates have already been shortlisted

To further strengthen support services, the department also advertised four clinical support and therapeutic services posts, with three candidates already shortlisted.

The department said the accelerated recruitment drive forms part of broader efforts to stabilise operations and improve patient care at the hospital.

New Medical Equipment Delivered

In addition to addressing staffing shortages, the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that new medical equipment has already been delivered to the facility.

The equipment includes:

• Defibrillators

• Patient monitors

• Infusion pumps

Officials said additional procurement processes are planned during the current financial year to further upgrade hospital infrastructure and improve healthcare delivery.

The department indicated that upcoming purchases are expected to include:

• Ventilators

• Examination lamps

• Mobile screens

• Anaesthetic machines

The procurement process will be guided by the hospital’s demand plan and operational requirements.

Repairs Continue After 2025 Hospital Fire

The department also provided an update on ongoing repairs to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit following a fire that severely damaged parts of the facility in 2025.

According to officials, the restoration work is being carried out in two phases.

Phase One Completed

Phase one focused on areas that were less severely affected by the fire.

This stage included:

• Clearing damaged areas

• Cleaning operations

• Refurbishment of affected sections

The work was supported by Spire Fund, a donor organisation assisting with the hospital’s remedial and reconstruction efforts.

The department confirmed that phase one has now been completed.

Phase Two Assessment Underway

Phase two involves sections of the emergency unit that sustained extensive structural damage during the fire.

Officials explained that a detailed assessment is currently underway to determine the full scope and cost of repairs.

The process required the removal of rubble and debris before engineers and specialists could conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the damaged infrastructure.

“The final repair costs for Phase two will only be determined once the in-depth assessment has been completed,” the department said.

Spire Fund is also assisting with this stage of the project.

Improving Healthcare Services Remains a Priority

The Gauteng Department of Health said stabilising staffing levels and restoring damaged infrastructure remain critical priorities for the provincial healthcare system.

Tembisa Hospital is one of Gauteng’s major public healthcare facilities and plays a crucial role in serving communities in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas.

Healthcare experts have repeatedly warned that staffing shortages, ageing infrastructure, and increasing patient numbers continue to place enormous pressure on public hospitals across the province.

The department said the recruitment of additional healthcare workers and investment in medical equipment are intended to improve patient experiences, reduce overcrowding, and strengthen clinical services.

Ongoing Challenges in Public Healthcare

The developments at Tembisa Hospital reflect broader challenges facing South Africa’s public healthcare sector, including:

• Shortages of medical professionals

• Budget pressures

• Infrastructure maintenance backlogs

• Growing patient demand

• Delays in filling critical posts

Provincial authorities say efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare systems across Gauteng through improved staffing, infrastructure upgrades, and operational reforms.

The department has pledged to continue monitoring progress at Tembisa Hospital to ensure services are stabilised and healthcare delivery improves in the coming months.