Gauteng Health infrastructure in jeopardy as MEC slashes R300M budget – what happens next?

The Gauteng Finance MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, has had the spend on health infrastructure in Gauteng cut by over R300 million for the 2023/24 financial year. According to Eyewitness News, He said this during his budget speech at the Gauteng Legislature in Johannesburg. Although he played down the cut, he said it would have little impact on managing public hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

Mamabolo said the government’s plan to install solar panels at hospitals and clinics to reduce the impact of load shedding was still on track, despite the budget cut. The rooftop solar project is in the final stages of contract finalisation, and the bidder has been selected.

Mamabolo reassured everyone that he would adjust the budget if the current allocation were insufficient to meet health facilities’ needs. However, he said it would be better to keep the money with the provincial treasury and ensure that departments are ready to spend it.

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) shadow Jack Bloom criticised the budget cut, saying it would further harm the province’s public health institutions.

Also read: Load Shedding Interferes with Manufacturing

Picture: Facebook / GautengGov