This was mentioned alongside five other key priorities of the Health Department, including the provision of Antiretroviral and TB medication, as well as the improvement of infrastructure by Finance MEC, Elzabe Rockman. The MEC tabled the province’s budget in Xhariep on Tuesday, March 5. 

The provincial health department has been allocated over R11 billion for the coming financial year - an increase from the 2018/19 allocation - to address these priorities and other key service delivery needs. The province has in the past garnered criticism and much attention over its use of the private ambulance service, Buthelezi Ambulances. 

Opposition parties have alleged the province paid over R6 million per month on this service provider previously. In September 2018, OFM News reported that the department is yet to phase out usage of the controversial service provider and terminate its contract. Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu, said at the time that the department is contracting the private ambulance service on a month-to-month basis because the department is at a stage where it battles to meet all health demands in the province with its own fleet. Tsiu said at the time that in order for the department to end their contract with the service provider under question, they will first need to ensure that they have enough ambulances, with adequate resources and skilled personnel.

The Departments of Health and Education received increases in their allocations. The Democratic Alliance in the province says the increases are not sufficient to address the accruals that have been plaguing these departments after numerous financial years. The Department of Health has been reported to be tied up in litigation to the tune of billions over the years, something which was concerning to members of the National Council of Provinces when they were conducting oversight visits in the province. During the 2018 budget speech, it was announced the department was no longer under administration.

OFM News