By Charmaine Ndlela
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced on Wednesday during his budget speech that R26 billion has been allocated to provinces to strengthen HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa.
The funding will support critical interventions, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and the provision of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
Godongwana said an additional R21.3 billion has been allocated to the health sector over the medium term to fund the compensation and employment of doctors, and to address shortfalls in goods and services expenditure.
As part of a targeted and responsible savings initiative, provinces will repurpose some of their existing funds to meet obligations previously supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), following the recent funding withdrawal by the United States.
“As part of the targeted and responsible savings initiative, provinces will repurpose some of their funding to meet obligations towards PEPFAR,” said Godongwana.
“This followsthe funding withdrawal by the United States. R21.3 billion is allocated to the health sector over the medium term for the compensation and employment of doctors, and to make up for shortfalls in goods and services expenditure.”
Godongwana also emphasised that the reprioritisation of funds is aimed at ensuring the continuity of essential HIV/AIDS services despite the reduction in external support.
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