The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) welcomes the long overdue announcement – by provincial Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane – that additional healthcare staff are to be appointed in our province.
According to the MEC, 270 new posts are being created – 150 for doctors and 120 for nurses – over and above the 20 already announced.
The DA believes that this will go a long way in alleviating pressure within KZN’s healthcare system, reducing patient waiting times, easing the burden of long working hours on existing staff and ultimately decreasing the likelihood of medical errors.
While we remain acutely aware that this intervention is not yet sufficient, when compared to the true scale of need, it is nonetheless a step in the right direction.
The move has been made possible by KZN’s Department of Health (DoH) collaborating with Provincial Treasury and undergoing a rigorous, line-by-line review of expenditure.
It is also possible that funding was reallocated from other provincial government departments to enable this. In the event that this is the case, the DA will seek clarity on the amount made available and the impact thereof – particularly if the funds have come from other frontline departments.
We firmly believe that improved management of KZN’s health budget, reinforced by strong oversight and an uncompromising approach to rooting out corruption, will unlock the potential to deliver more services to those who need them most.
The DA remains a committed and constructive partner within the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) – aligned with the ethos of building a capable, ethical, and caring state – and will continue to perform our oversight role with diligence to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.