The parliamentary health committee recently learned that provincial health departments, except for the Western Cape, owe the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) R8.9 billion in unpaid debts. CEO Dr. Koleka Mlisana deems this growing debt “unsustainable,” especially given expected budget cuts that will impact funding for essential laboratory services. The NHLS conducts vital medical tests for state hospitals and clinics…
Tag: Healthcare Crisis
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Godongwana blames provinces for healthcare staffing crisis
In his medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana attributed South Africa’s healthcare staffing shortages to the provinces’ failure to ensure that the Treasury’s allocated funds reached frontline healthcare workers. According to Godongwana, South Africa’s fiscal system allows provinces flexibility in managing funds under the provincial equitable share, which has led to disparities in budget allocations and impacted…