MEC Dhlomo to deliver his fourth budget policy statement

The MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo will deliver his fourth Budget Policy Statement (Vote 7) during the seating of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.

Journalists are advised that the MEC will deliver his Policy statement as follows:
Date: 7 June 2012, Thursday
Time: 14h00
Venue: KwaZulu-Natal Legislature

(Kindly indicate requests for one-on-one interviews and other request for engagements with the MEC and/or HoD to: chris.maxon@kznhealth.gov.za)

This Budget Policy Statement comes at the mid-term of the current administration’s office and the MEC is expected to review the health care system and report on progress being made in ensuring that the province moves closer to: “A long and healthy life for all South Africans”. 

MEC Dhlomo will also focus on the remainder of the term of office by explaining how the department aims to shape its programmatic response to the four burdens of diseases and how everyone can protect and maximise the gains from the remaining half of the term. 

When Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced 11 districts, one per province, to pilot the National Health Insurance (NHI); KwaZulu-Natal had three. This has made many in the media to suggest that the Province may have “beaten more than it can chew”.

Amongst the key areas that the MEC is expected to cover include: (i) plans on increasing the number of nurses and doctors, (ii) the implementation of the school health programme, (iii) pilot of the National Health Insurance in the Province, (iv) improving the quality of care and the Make Me Look Like A Hospital programme, and (iv) major infrastructure projects.