Question NW3554 to the Minister of Health
21 October 2015 - NW3554
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What were the reasons for the underspending on goods and services that resulted in his department only spending 11% of the allocated R1,1 billion in the first quarter and (b) what will his department do to increase spending in order to comply with the target set in its annual performance plan?
Reply:
(a) (i) The Human Papilloma Virus vaccines amounting to R200 million, are administered during September / October and February / March annually, therefore the costs relating to vaccines will flow mainly in the second and fourth quarters.
(ii) Expenditure regarding the South African Demographic Health Survey will be incurred in the 3rd Quarter.
(iii) A new tender for condoms has been finalized and orders will be placed soon.
(iv) The annual contribution amounting to approximately R22 million to the World Health Organization is to be paid in the last quarter of the financial year.
(v) Certain large annual projects are held in the late stages of the financial year, such as the HIV and AIDS campaigns during December, the National Tuberculosis day during March and the annual National Antenatal Sentinel HIV Prevalence Survey scheduled for September to January.
(b) (i) Human Papilloma Virus vaccines to the value of R68 million is ordered for the September / October 2015 doses.
(ii) The first payments for the South African Demographic Health Survey amounting to approximately R30 million are anticipated to flow in the latter half of the year.
(iii) The tender for condoms were concluded during August 2015. Condoms to the value of R120 million were ordered.
END.