According to provincial Health MEC, Montsheng Tsiu, more needs to be done to meet health demands in the province and that with this allocation the department will be hard at work to address challenges that continue to plague the province. This department, which has for many years been under administration has over the years drawn much controversy over the poor state of many public facilities, shortage of medical personnel, medication, as well as the shortage of ambulances, amongst others. 

In the past weeks, it made national headlines over an attempted rape of a 24-year-old doctor who bit off the tongue of a 32-year-old Vice Olivier who tried to rape her while she was in one of the overnight staff quarters at Pelonomi Hospital. Tabling the department's budget, Tsiu vowed to intensity measures to address all these challenges.

She told the House that an amount of R3.5 million is allocated for administration, while R40 million will go towards the provincial medical depo over the next three years.

She said added that 477 medical personnel will be appointed before the end of this fiscal year to address issues pertaining to staff shortage.

"More interns are expected to be absorbed while 201 nurses have thus far been appointed," said Tsiu.

She further alluded that R4.7 billion of the budget is allocated for district-based health care and that the number of personnel working in rural areas will also be increased.

Thirty more ambulances will also be purchased during this financial year.

Tsiu added that there is a high need to intensify efforts to reduce maternal mortality in the province and that midwives will also be appointed.

She told the House that they will also pay more attention to ensuring that HIV medication is readily available at all healthcare facilities. This, after the province was mentioned during the Aids Conference held in Durban last month amongst those with high stockouts.

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