Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has reiterated the readiness of their health facilities during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

This follows media reports, alleging that public hospitals in the province will not be ready for the World Cup.

"The department would like to state that these reports are misleading and are causing unnecessary panic.

"The department would like to reiterate that health facilities are being prepared to handle any situation during the World Cup next year and beyond," the department said in a statement on Monday.

In preparation, the accident and emergency departments at the central and regional hospitals are currently being made ready to provide the required services.

Doctors completing their Masters in Emergency Medicine are supporting preparations for 2010 readiness, and beyond.

In June this year, the department launched operation Kuyasheshwa la aimed at stabilising, improving and sustaining the delivery of quality health service in the province.

One of the successes of this campaign was the decrease of weekly diversion of ambulances from facility to facility due to the shortage of beds from 88 to 11.