R64bn budget for Health Department amid looming 5th Covid-19 wave
The Department of Health will receive R64.5 billion during the 2022/23 financial year as the sector begins to recover from a bruising period of Covid-19.
This according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla.
Phaahla tabled to 2022/23 budget vote before Parliament’s health committee on Tuesday.
More than 85% of the allocated funds will be transferred to provinces as conditional grants to support various activities, including the HIV/ Aids programmes, support for human resources, as well as a significant allocation for infrastructure support.
But Phaahla raised concerns about the expected drop in the department’s budgets, with the first cut expected in 2023.
“We are, however, concerned that in the medium term the Health Budget will be going down by 1.7% each year before even factoring in inflation, which cannot be good for health services in the country,” Phaahla told MPs.
Phaahla reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring universal health coverage for citizens.
“As a government of the ANC, we are committed to the attainment of the universal health coverage for all South Africans. We urge all members of Parliament to support the NHI Bill, which is in front of the Health Portfolio Committee as an instrument for Universal Health Coverage.
"In the meantime, we are laying the foundation for a strong public health system, which will underpin an integrated health service for the country."
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“Within this budget allocations made under NHI are essentially meant for strengthening the public health delivery platform such as targeted infrastructure upgrades across the country, contracting private PHC doctors, acquiring of oncology services and also adding more capacity for mental health services.”
He added government has ring-fenced an amount to prepare for the implementation of the bill.
While the country faces a spike in Covid-19 infections, the country’s vaccination rate has often been criticised for being slow.
But Phaahla applauded the progress made so far.
“Whilst it is the time that over 70% of the population have had contact with the viruses, and therefore we have some natural immunity, the truth is this immunity wears with time and it cannot be boosted. So, while the virus is amongst us, the best defence is vaccination.
“We have been allocated R2 billion for vaccines in 2022/23 financial year.”
Phaahla’s budget received mixed reactions from opposition parties in the legislature.
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