Despite the dire need for improved service delivery, the Gauteng Health Department failed to spend R1.1 billion of the 2023/24 budget which ended on 31 March this year.
This was revealed by the Head of Department (HOD), Mr. Arnold Malotana, at a meeting last week of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee.
According to Malotana, they have applied to Treasury to roll over R780 million into this financial year, but approval has not yet been given.
This means that at least R320 million of last year’s budget has been lost, and potentially a lot more if Treasury does not approve the rollover.
It is likely that most of the R250 million budgeted last year for urgent cancer treatment was not spent as this is the subject of an urgent court application by the Cancer Alliance.
The huge underspend is outrageous when there are so many unfilled posts and hospitals are falling apart.
The unspent R1.1 million could have been used for urgent cancer treatment to save lives. It could also employ 3000 more nurses for a year or build 10 clinics.
It’s yet another example of poor financial management that plagues this department.
The Democratic Alliance will continue to push for fundamental reforms to ensure decent health care in Gauteng hospitals. This should include the replacement of recently appointed Department Head Arnold Malotana who is reportedly being investigated for alleged corruption.