MEC Manzini delivering her speech
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Numerous plans to enhance the provision of healthcare services in the province were eloquently outlined in the Budget Policy Statement for the 2024/25 financial year, delivered by Mpumalanga Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, at the Provincial Legislature, in the City of Mbombela on Tuesday 6 August.
The MEC dedicated her speech to iconic women, in line with Women’s Month, such as the first black South African female medical doctor, Dr Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela, and others including Mama Albertina Sisulu, who also made a remarkable contribution in the field of medicine during the dark days of Apartheid.
She updated the province about Mpox, a rare disease caused by the Poxvirus, with similarities of smallpox but less severe. According to Manzini, there were only laboratory-confirmed Mpox cases and 3 deaths throughout the country. She said Gauteng confirmed 12 cases and 1 death, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 11 cases and two deaths, as well as Western Cape with 1 case reported.
Manzini revealed that the overall budget allocated for the Department of Health in Mpumalanga is R18 697 171 000, which is allocated for the current financial year and is divided into 8 different programmes.
Administration( R396 510 000)
District Health Services(R11 285 717 000)
Emergency Medical Services(R535 300 000)
Provincial Hospital Services(R1 881 214 000)
Central Hospital Services(R1 959 972 000)
Health Sciences and Training(R553 879 000)
Health Care Support Services(R386 515 000)
Health Facilities Management(R1 698 064 000)
Manzini also revealed additional developments within the department aimed at ensuring that healthcare services are disseminated throughout the province.
Implementing the National Health Insurance by setting aside R20.2 million for contracting 60 additional General Practitioners from the 54 that have be contracted so far.
Management of Mental Health Care services by contracting 1 Clinical Psychologist, 6 Social Workers and 19 registered Counsellors at budget of R13.9 million.
Other proactive measures envisioned by the Department of Health include; managing TB in Hosptials, prevention and reduction of Malaria, Cheka Impilo Campaign, access to specialised services, access to specialised care, availability of medicine, expansion of the clinic programme, strengthening health infrastructure, human resources for health and training of personnel, creating a single electronic health record, budget vote 10 for 2024/25 financial year, psychosocial counselling program for health workers, strengthening financial management, collaboration with other countries on traditional medicine research and development, to name but a few.
