WC Health Dept says budget cuts had a devastating impact on operations
The Western Cape Health Department said the shortage of funds caused by the budget cuts led to posts being frozen and caused a shortfall in salary increases.
FILE: The Themba regional hospital in Mpumalanga closed its doors temporarily after clashes between staff and angry residents. Picture: © Antonio Diaz/ 123rf.com
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Department of Health said budget cuts in the 2023/2024 financial year had a devastating impact on its operations.
According to the department, several posts were frozen due to a shortage of funds and caused a shortfall in salary increases.
This led to staff members having to put in long hours to make up for staff shortages.
The provincial Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said, "They cut our provincial equitable share and also they cut out conditional grant, meaning we started the budget of 2023/2024 with about R1.5 billion shortfall, and then we were expected to pay for a salary increase."
Mbombo said the funding relief for the health sector announced by the minister of finance in his recent budget speech would not make a significant difference.
"So now this year, as far as I'm aware, things are still not as good because we came to this year with a shortfall from a 78% they gave us for the salary increase. It means that when they are indicating what they are giving us, it might not necessarily be new money. It means that they still owe us."