Given its magnitude, KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Health (DoH) budget of R50.687 billion – 34.7% of the provincial budget – demands meticulous planning, informed application and close scrutiny.
The sum must also be viewed in the context of the 10.4 million people who inhabit our province along with the socio-economic realities that they face. Of great significance is the inescapable fact that approximately 90% are medically uninsured which places universal health care at a high level of priority.
The current state of health within the DoH can be assessed by two indicators. These are patient-waiting-times and medico-legal-claims arising from bad experiences.
Both demand improved administrative and management processes, with the latter sitting at an ever-growing R28 billion contingent liability. Spending a little on improved administration may save a great deal in this regard. Every hospital and clinic requires an effective system of record keeping and administration.
The department also plans to employ 19 more general practitioners through the National Health Insurance (NHI) grant. This is a red herring that takes the necessity to employ doctors and attributes it to a scheme that is yet to be tested for its financial viability and pragmatic application.
Emergency medical services (EMS) is another area that is lacking. Given the demand, this must be prioritised.
The 2022/23 budget states that 200 ambulances would be available by the end of March this year.
They must service the 90% of 10.4 million citizens yet flat tyres, inadequate supplies, empty tanks, broken parts and vacant posts may in fact put EMS in need of rescue itself.
KZN’s DoH has already felt the cold winds of energy insecurity and the practical difficulties with load-shedding exemptions implies that alternative energy sources are essential.
The department must now begin the process of adjusting its operations to the requirement of the Just Energy Transition we are embarking upon as a nation. This cannot wait.
Above all, this ANC government must focus on a quality service to citizens and the optimal use of limited resources. This department must do better with what it has.
EDWIN BAPTIE MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Health
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