Budget cuts cripple health infrastructure projects

The Gauteng department of health’s multimillion-rand infrastructure projects, including the Rgo million project to upgrade Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, have come to a screeching halt due to crippling budget cuts.

- Sipho Mabena

According to Xolisani Galada, the department’s deputy director-general for infrastructure development, the infrastructure budget was slashed from over R1 billion in the previous financial year to R783 million in the 2025-26 financial year.

Other affected projects include the R72 million refurbishment of Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital in Krugersdorp and urgent upgrades at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Coronationville.

The latter is grappling with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate facilities and lack of critical services such as an ICU and blood bank - as flagged in a 2024 health ombud report.