Budget cuts threaten stability of health services in KZN

THE stability ofhealth services across KwaZulu-Natal is under threat as key leadership positions, including those of hospital CEOs and senior managers, have not been filled due to budget cuts.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane expressed concerns that key positions are managed by individuals who are in an acting capacity because the department is not in a position to fill these critical roles. She briefed the members of the finance portfolio committee on these and other budget-related challenges recently.

Members of the Health portfolio committee and labour unions concurred with her concerns, stating that the situation is critical and needs to be urgently addressed.

Addressing the Finance Committee members regarding the state of the department's finances, MEC Simelane said the department was projected to overspend by more than R4 billion, but they managed to reduce this by a billion rand by halting many essential activities to save money.