Collective action could breathe new life into efforts to save the Department of Health as the cash flow crisis deepens.

As the financial crisis within the Department deepens, the real cost is borne by the patients relying on this system for their health and well-being. Surgeries that could save lives or alleviate suffering are being delayed, not because of medical reasons but due to the lack of basic supplies.

Medico-legal claims against the Department because of medical negligence have made massive lump sum payments to successful claimants over the past decade. As a result, the Department is factually bankrupt and has no cash flow to speak of.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape remains convinced that strategies can be explored that will contribute to improving the Department’s financial status. These strategies include launching a full forensic investigation into commuted overtime, a full investigation into the bidding and tender processes in the infrastructure programme, and the possibility of national intervention in terms of Section 100 (1)(a) of the South African Constitution, to mention a few.

I have written to the MEC of Health, Thandokazi Capa, and requested that she call a special Portfolio Committee meeting to discuss this strategy.

From a budget of R30,1 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year, a whopping R6,2 billion was owed for payables and accruals to service providers and suppliers from the previous financial year. Of the remaining R23,9 billion, about R1,6 billion goes to Payments of Capital Assets, R400 million goes to Transfers and Subsidies, and a massive R20,1 billion goes to Compensation of Employees (CoE).

This leaves a paltry R1,8 billion for the Goods and Services budget, which must cover medicines, surgical supplies, implants, medical equipment, oxygen, food, linen, and other soft services at hospitals across the province.

Surgeries have largely been delayed because hospitals simply don’t have the supplies to perform them. Quality of care has been compromised due to staff shortages. This is because critical funded posts have remained vacant while the allocated salaries have been ring-fenced to keep creditors at bay.

This is not just a budget issue—it’s a human tragedy unfolding in real-time, where the most vulnerable in our society are being denied the care they desperately need.

We must explore every avenue to improve own income and cut costs from non-core programmes. It is our collective responsibility to do everything in our power to keep this Department afloat and improve health service delivery to our citizens. The DA is committed to continue offering solutions to turn the Department around and ensure that our people in the Eastern Cape have access to quality healthcare.

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