Health Dept overspends at least R600 million

The Executive Council (Exco) has directed Provincial Treasury to develop a plan that would periodically monitor the budget of the Department of Health as the institution’s current overspending stands at around R600 million.
This was highlighted by provincial government acting spokesperson Mamogo Ntuli during a post Exco media briefing at Office of the Premier last Thursday following the council meeting a day prior. She said there are already indications of overspending at the Department of Health in excess of around R600 million. The department is known for starting each financial year with accruals as it is claimed that the budget allocated is not enough to run the ship.
During a presser early in the year, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba emphasised that the department was facing financial constraints to such an extent that by September of each financial year it is unable to acquire services because it would have exhausted its budget already. She indicated that the department was forced to spend 23% of its total budget to acquire services, maintain health facilities and equipment and purchase medicine while 73% goes toward compensation of employees.
Migration and border management
Ntuli indicated that the Exco was briefed on the status of the border environment in Limpopo with special reference to the Beit Bridge port by the Department of Home Affairs. The border post services an average of 30 000 trucks, 40 000 light motor vehicles, 10 000 buses and 500 000 travellers per month, she explained. She listed its challenges as port health, traffic congestion, port trading and infrastructure deficiencies. It was learnt that the council has resolved that a follow-up with a team of ministers for Home Affairs, Defence and Public Works should be expedited to discuss the border management challenges.
Provincial audit outcomes
Provincial Treasury scooped a clean audit award for three years in a row while Community Safety also did the province proud with a clean audit outcome. Ntuli indicated that Limpopo recorded a substantial improvement as no department had adverse or disclaimer audit outcomes. Nine departments received unqualified audit outcomes whereas Social Development regressed from unqualified to qualified audit outcome, Ntuli concluded.

Story/photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za