Sama Urges Government To Re-evaluate Healthcare Budget Amid Concerns

The South African Medical Association SAMA has called on government to reconsider the proposed budget allocations for the healthcare sector. The association argues that the budget is inadequate and will not effectively address the ongoing crisis in the sector.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced an additional R28.9 billion to the health budget, which is intended to retain approximately 9 300 healthcare workers in the countrys hospitals and clinics.

Godongwana also mentioned that part of this funding would be used to hire 800 post-community service doctors.

Youll recall what the Minister was saying: as part of the public share, the funds would go to provinces, but provinces would not prioritise healthcare in their allocation at a provincial level. So were complaining were saying that the provinces mass prioritises the hiring of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. So that we avoid this problem that were talking about where you find that we have a poor quality of healthcare because of a dire shortage and also the burnout on those who are in the system already, says SAMA Chairperson, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.

Dr. Mzukwa has also called on government to ensure that it addresses the issue of corruption in the sector before allocating the budget.