The MEC for Health Mr Sicelo Gqobana tabled his policy speech at the Legislature on Tuesday, 22 March 2011.
He highlighted among other issues the challenges he had experienced during the few months he joined the department, mentioning that despite the challenges he faced there were some commendable pictures like doctors and nurses being passionate about their job. He also said that the number of nurses who graduated was very impressive.
The MEC also touched on the turnaround strategy of the department mentioning the critical issues which the department is going to focus on, mentioning the following: provincial readiness of the department to engage with all the process of the NHI; the revital isation of the provincial health system including final isation of the provincialisation of provincial State-aided Hospitals and the devolution of environmental health services; finalisation of organ isational restructuring; clear focus on the Primary Health Care as a foundation for provincial healthcare service delivery; correction of the HROPT outcomes; strengthening of intergovernmental cooperation and exploration of revenue generation and retention.
He also mentioned the opening of 5 clinics and 3 hospitals this year which will improve access to health care especially in rural areas, the procurement of 169 ambulances and 45 Patient Transport Vehicles fitted with tracking devises, the launch of the provincial HCT campaign which was followed by districts where 764 000 people were tested and 135 recorded to be on ARVs.
On the policy outlook for the 2011/12 financial year he mentioned the implementation of primary healthcare and building social compact with communities through health promotion and healthy life style living; the implementation of priority health programmes, HIV and AIDS, TB control programme and MCWH; investing in human resources to achieve the desired health outcomes; ensuring the functionality and effectiveness of all health facilities including pharmaceutical depots, EMS Metro centres and forensic mortuaries; the revamping of emergency medical care services capabilities; maintenance and revital isation of infrastructure and enhancing the productive capacity of the economy; and provision of clinical support services and ensuring availability of drugs in health facilities.
On the budget allocation he admitted that the department is starting the financial year from a negative position as the expenditure is expected to exceed the budget by approximately R978 million. He further mentioned that 47,4% of the budget will be allocated to the District Health Service Programme.
He then allocated the budget as follows on programmes:
- Health Administration: 590,416
- District Health Services: 6,752,589
- Emergency Medical Services: 677,875
- Provincial Hospital Services: 3,671,539
- Central Hospital Services: 609, 372
- Health Sciences and Training: 609, 672
- Health Care Support Services: 97, 339
- Health Facilities Development and Maintenance: 1,138,492.
