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Last week, the Gauteng Health Department's 2024/25 budget vote was approved, missing a crucial opportunity to push for negotiations with opposition parties for necessary changes.

Rejecting the budget would not have halted operations. According to the Public Finance Management Act, 45% of the previous year's budget can be spent until the end of July, with an additional 10% each month thereafter. Therefore, the department would only face a budget shortfall by the end of this year.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) rejected the budget because nothing has changed in the top management to ensure it will be spent efficiently and effectively, without any corruption.

Simply put, the crooks are still in charge. They want to keep their multiple scams going, and to protect the looters. If there was another Babita Deokaran in the Department, they would silence her.

A specific concern is the delay in urgent treatment for cancer patients, despite a significant budget allocated for this purpose.

We are also concerned about the poor emergency response times, high neonatal deaths, the failure to pay suppliers in good time, low childhood immunisation, inadequate maintenance, and non-completion of all capital projects.

This department needs to be rescued to save lives and provide the best possible public health service within the available budget.

It is regrettable that the EFF, MK, and ActionSA chose to support the health budget despite its numerous shortcomings. Without their support, the vote would have failed, compelling the department to provide assurances and improvements, especially for cancer patients.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health