Health Budget: Committee Report

Meeting report

Budget Vote Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health

Dr K Jacobs (ANC), as acting Chairperson, noted that the work done with the entities and Department culminated in this report. He took the Committee through the report and went through the respective Committee observations page-by-page.

The Chairperson thanked Dr Jacobs for taking the Committee through the report, and asked Members if there are any additions that need to be made.

Discussion

Ms S Gwarube (DA) thanked the Chairperson for an accurate reflection of the meetings in the report but did not move for the adoption of the report.

Mr P Van Staden (FF+) asked about the question raised to the Auditor-General regarding the PPE in hospitals, and if this was reflected in the report.  The Minister and the Department are expected to address this matter.

The Chairperson responded that the report had been flagged for the Auditor-General, and a separate date has been set to discuss the matter with the Minister. 

Ms A Gela (ANC) confirmed and moved for the adoption of the report. The Committee needed to engage with the Department of Finance to raise concerns surrounding the budget cuts.

Dr S Thembekwayo (EFF) asked that the Chairperson note that the EFF reserved its right to not comment on whether the report should be accepted or not.

Mr T Munyai (ANC) moved for the adoption of the report ahead of the budget vote debate on Thursday, 13 May 2021.

Ms Gwarube responded to Mr Van Staden’s comment regarding the Auditor-General report. The recommendation, as reflected in the report, is the Committee flagged the Auditor-General’s findings on the Department and proposed a special meeting to consider and deliberate on these findings. This required a deep dive between the Committee and the Department on this matter.

The Chairperson noted that the date of the meeting would be given before the end of the current meeting.

Mr M Sokatsha (ANC) moved for the adoption of the report.

Mr Van Staden reserved the right to comment on the report after a caucus of the FF+.

Ms M Hlengwa (IFP) moved for the adoption of the report.

The Chairperson noted that the report was adopted. He acknowledged the parties that supported the report and those that reserved the right to comment.

Further business  

On 28 May 2021, the Committee will meet with the Minister, along with the MECs, HoD and DGs. The Chairperson will write back to the Minister to invite the Auditor-General to the meeting, and help the AG prepare a user-friendly report. The presentation of the report will happen, followed by the Committee asking clarity seeking questions to the AG, followed by interaction between the Committee and the Minister’s various teams. Correspondence was initiated between the Minister of Finance and the Chairperson, so they can coordinate on how the budget cuts may potentially impede on service delivery. There is no response as of yet.

Ms Gwarube asked for clarity regarding the Northern Cape oversight visit and noted there were concerns surrounding flights and times.

The Committee Secretary responded by highlighting the logistical difficulties regarding flights to the Northern Cape. She explained the itinerary overlap with different airlines.

The Chairperson noted that the agenda for the trip is to discern the status of the vaccination sites. This includes visiting the non-24/7 sites such as churches and clinics. After a meeting with the Department, a visit to 24/7 sites will be conducted.

The Chairperson thanked the Committee and brought the meeting to a close.