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​​Health
Who runs health services in Johannesburg?

The major public hospitals are run by the Gauteng Provincial Administration. The city is responsible for public health issues such as immunisation, maternal and child health, AIDS education and prevention, and inspecting premises such as restaurants for health hazards.

What is the city's policy on health issues?

A common​ vision for the City of Johannesburg has been established - "One City One Health System". The history of health care service delivery in Johannesburg has been characterised by fragmentation and poor quality care to communities. The emphasis is now on primary health care through the district health system with a strong focus on preventative health service delivery that is accessible and effective.
Poverty, unemployment, poor social conditions and physical conditions such as lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation and poor housing, as well as the rising HIV/AIDS epidemic, have a direct impact on the health status of communities around Johannesburg.

R178-million has been budgeted for health services, and this amount is to increase in the medium term, reflecting larger allocations to the HIV/AIDS programme.

The Johannesburg central Health Department has six units dealing with:

Primary health;
Communicable and non-communicable diseases;
HIV/AIDS;
Environmental health;
Pharmaceutical services;
Health Information System (HIS).


What health services are available in Johannesburg?

Community health centres serve a population of up to 300 000, operating as referral centres and providing:

Curative care
Maternal and child health (including maternity)
Immunisation
Health promotion activities
Community outreach
Minor surgical theatre
24-hour service


Primary health clinics serve upwards of 100 000 people and provide the following services:

Curative care
Maternal and child health
Health promotion activities
Community outreach
Daily service of eight to 10 hours


Satellite clinics provide the same services as primary health clinics but only on certain days of the week.

Specially fitted vehicles function as mobile clinics that provide health care to informal settlements and under-populated areas on an infrequent basis.

Community clinics 
ALSO: 
Major private hospitals and clinics 
Major public hospitals and clinics

Who is responsible for health services in Johannesburg?

Both the Gauteng provincial health department and the local authority provide similar services to the same target population but their responsibility and accountability is separate.

Johannesburg's health department is responsible for providing a comprehensive primary health service throughout the city that is accessible, equitable, effective and efficient. At present, there is a central policy health unit as well as 125 health facilities and 10 environmental health units throughout the 7 regions.

What effect is the HIV/AIDS epidemic having on the city?

At Johannesburg Hospital about 30% of pregnant mothers tested are HIV-positive. Of children tested on admission to the paediatric wards, 40% are HIV-positive, and 75% of paediatric deaths - mostly children under the age of two - are AIDS related. The overall infection rate for Johannesburg of 26% is greater than the average for Gauteng, which stands at 23.9%. 
The City of Johannesburg is home to a population of 2 883 226 people in some 791 367 households. The population is projected to rise to 2 986 228 in mid-2005 and 3 103 182 in mid-2010. The average rate of population growth for the City of Johannesburg between 2000 and 2010 is projected to be 0.9% per annum. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is largely responsible for this low rate of growth, along with a low fertility rate in Johannesburg.

The total number of AIDS orphans will increase from 76 623 in 2000 to a cumulative total of 139 419 in 2010.

What is the city doing about HIV/AIDS?

The​ city recognises the importance of tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has set aside a substantial part of its health budget to this end. The health department aims to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS, distribute condoms to high-risk groups, and focus targeted safe-sex messages at high-risk groups and the general population.

The HIV/AIDS strategy has two focus areas:


HIV/AIDS in the workplace: The city aims to create awareness and therefore behavioural change among all council employees; and to offer medical and pension fund benefits to all staff.


HIV/AIDS in the community: An awareness campaign will target the youth and prevent new infections. The city undertakes to support community based initiatives.

​Health