KZN Health Department's strategic plans for service delivery amid budget cuts

Despite budget cuts, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health intends to stretch every rand to ensure improved service delivery in the 2025 and 2026 financial years. 

Nomagugu Simelane, the KZN MEC for Health, delivered her budget speech at the KZN Provincial Legislature on Tuesday. Simelane stated that this financial year marks the start of a five-year strategic plan framework, which runs until 2029 and 2030 financial years. 

“For the past six years, our department has faced significant budget cuts, with more than R8 billion lost to its baseline allocation. This deficit in the budget allocation leaves us struggling to meet the healthcare demands of our province in certain areas,” she said. 

Simelane said this has severely impacted the department's ability to fill critical posts in nursing, medicine, administrative, and allied health professions. She added that infrastructure development, including a backlog of 250 clinics, has been hindered in some areas, including routine maintenance of some facilities. 

She explained that the KZN public health inventory of assets includes 69 hospitals, 22 community health centres (CHC), 589 clinics, 84 EMS bases, 33 forensic mortuaries, nursing colleges, administrative offices, and regional laundries. 

“We have a responsibility to ensure that these assets are well-managed, well-taken care of, and that they continue to meet the needs of our communities,” she added. 

Simelane said that despite funding constraints they have started the construction of new clinics in Nyavini, Mpolweni and Mpaphala. She acknowledged that the construction of Mtubatuba CHC has been delayed due to certain administrative processes. 

The total health budget is R 56.2 billion which will be distributed as follows;

• Administration:                         R1.4 billion 
• District Health Services :          R 28.8 billion 
• Emergency Medical Services:  R1.9 billion 
• Provincial Hospital Services :   R13.9 billion 
• Central Hospital Services:        R6.2 billion 
• Health Sciences And Training: R1.6 billion 
• Health Care Support Services: R394 million 
• Health Facilities Management: R2 billion 

Simelane also touched on the dedication and commitment shown by staff and the employee wellness programmes in place. 

“We have made staff training and skills development a top priority, having trained thousands of our staff in various programmes. We will welcome dozens of chaplains into public healthcare facilities across the province to offer spiritual and emotional support to patients and healthcare workers, helping to ease trauma and daily stress,” she said. 

Simelane said the Emergency Medical Services response times will be improved when it comes to the evacuation of the sick and injured, as well as inter-facility transfers. She said the department has allocated funds to procure 50 new ambulances and 10 thirty-five-seater planned patient transport buses.

The department is also expected to contract 130 private GPs to improve the coverage of clinics by doctors. She said the department will also continue to fund psychiatrists to clear forensic mental health backlogs. 

“We have noted the recent public outcry regarding the non-employment of doctors, and we fully understand the frustration expressed by many within the profession and broader society,” she said. 

Dr Imraan Keeka, chairperson of the KZN Health Portfolio Committee, said the health department has made significant strides in addressing challenges facing the province. 

“The road to health equity remains long and we expect to encounter obstacles along the way. The withdrawal of funding by the United States of America to provincial health programmes is a setback,” he said.

Andile Biyela, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MPL, said Simelane had spoken honestly about the challenges which was the first step to remedy. He said political parties may differ in ideology but when it comes to saving lives there is only the right way. 

“Where the department is not doing well they must be called out and when they are doing well they must be commended. The budget invites collaboration,” he said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za