Health needs shot in arm

GAUTENG: BAILOUT NEEDED AS R4.8BN BUDGET SHORTFALL LOOMS

- Jarryd Westerdale

Provincial opposition benches have made a bleak prediction for the Gauteng department of health.

The department is missing its deadlines to pay suppliers and faces the prospect of a R4.8 billion budget shortfall at the end of this financial year.

This is made worse by its inability to fill senior posts, while still paying the salaries of suspended officials.

The department has an allocation budget of R64.8 billion for the 2024-25 financial year. As per the Gauteng provincial government Second Quarter State of Finances report, R35.2 billion of that had already been spent by the end of September.

DA shadow MEC for health Jack Bloom said that at the current rate of expenditure, a R4.8 billion shortfall is on the cards.

"The department spends about R5.3 billion a month, so they will run out of money in early March next year," said Bloom.

"They will also delay payments to suppliers to get through until the new financial year in April.

"The new budget will then be depleted by paying the arrears and we will have a similar payments crisis later," he added.