TO: ALL MEDIA
DATE: 17 AUGUST 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE INTENSIFIES OVERSIGHT AT CHARLOTTE MAXEKE JOHANNESBURG ACADEMIC HOSPITAL
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee has called for continued improvement in service delivery, governance and operational capacity at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The Committee recently conducted an oversight visit, assessing both the progress of the fire remedial works and the experience of patients and staff.
Charlotte Maxeke remains one of Gauteng’s major academic hospitals, providing specialised and highly specialised services while serving approximately 60 000 to 65 000 patients monthly and playing an important role in training healthcare professionals.
Committee Chairperson Adv. Ezra Letsoalo said the oversight visit was about ensuring that the hospital’s recovery and improvement translate into a better experience for patients.
“We recognise the efforts being made to improve the hospital. However, where there are continued pressures affecting patients and staff, the Committee has a responsibility to raise these matters and ensure that they are addressed.”
Leadership, staffing and patient experience to care
The Committee raised concerns about the continued vacancy of the permanent Chief Executive Officer, as well as other critical staffing gaps, particularly among specialists and nursing staff. The hospital also reported staff turnover and an ageing workforce, reinforcing the need for effective recruitment and succession planning.
Patient experience was another area of focus. Pharmacy waiting times were reported at approximately 90 minutes, while the Pharmacy serves around 2 500 patients daily. Staffing capacity and medicine availability remain areas requiring attention.
The Committee also stressed the urgent need of maintaining critical hospital infrastructure and equipment to ensure uninterrupted clinical services. This includes the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, which regulates temperature, ventilation, air quality and airflow in operating theatres and is essential for infection control and patient safety. Ongoing challenges with the system have affected theatre functionality and contributed to the cancellation or delay of surgical procedures, adding to existing backlogs.
Fire remedial works progressing
The Committee welcomed the progress made on the fire remedial works, which are approximately 76% complete. The building has been structurally stabilised, with the medical levels expected to be completed by the end of September and the remaining works by the end of November 2026.
The project has faced significant technical complexities, including additional work identified during construction. The Committee noted that the project remains within budget and has passed the relevant audits to date.
The Committee will continue monitoring the project and conduct further site visits to assess progress against agreed timelines.
The project has involved significant technical complexities, including additional work identified as construction progressed. The Committee noted that the project remains within budget and has passed the relevant audits to date. The Committee also appreciated the detailed presentation by the project team, which provided a clearer understanding of the scale, complexity and care that have gone into the remedial work undertaken thus far.
Strengthening accountability and service delivery
The Committee emphasised that restoring Charlotte Maxeke to a standard befitting its history and role remains a priority.
“Management has expressed a commitment to improving efficiencies, and we acknowledge the progress that is visible. At the same time, the Department must ensure that the remaining challenges are addressed with the necessary urgency and that commitments translate into measurable improvements for the functioning of the hospital and enhancing better health outcomes for the users of the hospital” said Letsoalo.
The Committee will continue exercising its oversight mandate, monitoring progress and holding the Department accountable for addressing identified gaps while supporting efforts to strengthen service delivery not only at Charlotte Maxeke, but other facilities. The pressures at this facility reflect broader challenges across the health system, with more central hospitals increasingly carrying the burden of services traditionally managed by district facilities.
ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE ADV. EZRA LETSOALO.
For interview requests with the Chairperson please contact: Ms. Thabisile Nzuke on 082 619 4411 email: TNzuke@gpl.gov.za
