Daily News E-dition

MPS call for more money for health

SIYABONGA MKHWANAZI

HEALTH Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that budget cuts by the National Treasury have affected all departments, with political parties in Parliament calling for discussions with the Treasury to revise its decision on the department of health.

MPS raised concern that the cuts across the state have impacted the functions of the department as it battles Covid-19.

ANC MP Tshilidzi Munyai said the department of health deserved to be given more funds as the fight against the virus has not been won.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo also raised concern about the budget cuts. He said the matter needed to be taken up with National Treasury.

Mkhize said this was a concern that has been raised by MPS.

“What we have seen in the reductions is something that is affecting all departments. But in reality we are saying the health services do need to be funded more than what is happening now. We do understand there are constraints at the government level,” said Mkhize.

Mkhize also said they need more money to hire more people.

This was after EFF MP Suzan Thembekwayo had said there had been a staff shortage with positions not filled in some provinces.

Mkhize said this was a matter that was being addressed.

“In the Eastern Cape last year more than 8 000 people were employed as part of responding to this particular challenge. We do understand that we need more funding, more resources,” said Mkhize.

He said they were concerned about the increase in Covid-19 infections.

“The Covid-19 positive cases have started to rise significantly and we may find ourselves in the third wave.

“Of concern has been the emergence of B.1.351 in our country and the importation of B1.617.2 variant from India and B.1.1.7 from the UK.

“We all have a responsibility to use the non-pharmaceutical interventions to protect ourselves and reduce the risk of infection,” he said.

“Our country is set to begin phase 2 of the vaccination programme on May 17, targeting 130 sites in the public sector to be active next week, focusing on the population aged 60 and above and vulnerable groups, using Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccine, as vaccination of the remainder of health-care workers is being concluded.”

METRO

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2021-05-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-05-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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