Health dept announces R14,3 billion budget

POLOKWANE – The challenges identified in the department of health will be addressed and resolved so that the department can “move away from this temporary dilemma”.

Health MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe made this statement during his budget speech in the provincial legislature on Tuesday.

The department’s 2014/15 budget of R14,3 billion reflected a growth of 1,1%, Kgetjepe said.

The department of health is the second-largest department in the province and has for three consecutive years received a disclaimer audit opinion. A disclaimer is issued when the Auditor-General (AG) could not form an opinion, and consequently refuses to present an opinion on the financial statements.

Kgetjepe said progress had been made to improve on financial management performance, asset management, records and non-financials.

“We have just received a qualified audit opinion and we will work tirelessly to ensure that systems and procedures are put in place to strengthen revenue collection in our institutions. We are not necessarily celebrating this achievement as we strongly believe that much more work still has to be done,” he explained. A qualified audit opinion is an improvement on a disclaimer opinion and is issued when the AG encountered one of two types of situations which did not comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), but the rest of the financial statements were fairly presented.

The unpacking of the budget included:

• R7,6 billion will be used for primary healthcare, which a priority;

• R25 million has been set aside for the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme. HPV is associated with cervical cancer mortality.

• The emergency medical services unit will benefit from R20 million, which will be used to purchase 50 new ambulances.

• R139 million has been set aside for health sciences and training.

• R94 million has been set aside to prevent and control malaria in the affected areas of the province.

• HIV/Aids and TB: R48 million was allocated for TB and R978 million for HIV/Aids programmes.

• R467 million has been set aside to address all infrastructure needs.

• R4,6 million will go towards the expanded public works programme.

Kgetjepe also mentioned that national health insurance was a flagship programme in the province and was funded from conditional grants. He said the national treasury had allocated R7 million to the province for this programme.

“Even though the budget only reflects an actual growth of 1,1%, this will not detract us from our chosen path aimed at ensuring long and healthy lives for communities.”