Gauteng Health MEC Warns of Budget Strain as Hospitals Battle R8 Billion Debt 

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has raised alarm over the severe financial pressures confronting the provincial health system, warning that budget constraints are hampering service delivery across hospitals and clinics serving more than 15 million residents.

Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg, Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed that the 2025/26 health budget stands at R67 billion, a modest rise from the previous year’s R64.7 billion. Despite this increase, she cautioned that the funds are not keeping pace with rising demand and operating costs.

The department is grappling with R8.069 billion in accruals—unpaid bills rolled over from prior years. Of this, R4.35 billion (54 %) has been paid, leaving R3.65 billion outstanding. These debts, some dating as far back as 2012, continue to drain departmental resources and impact the supply of essential medicines and services.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the backlog now consumes nearly 5.5 % of the new budget. Patients at major facilities like Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital have faced delays in accessing cancer treatment and chronic medications due to supply disruptions.

Despite financial challenges, the department has managed to reduce medico-legal liabilities from R18 billion in 2023 to R6.9 billion in 2025, a decline of nearly R11 billion. The MEC credited this success to litigation reforms, improved risk management, and mediation-based approaches that cut down legal expenses.

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), have renewed calls for Nkomo-Ralehoko’s removal, citing the R8 billion debt as evidence of financial mismanagement. The DA argues that these fiscal constraints are directly affecting the quality of healthcare for Gauteng residents.

Nkomo-Ralehoko, who has led the department since November 2022, defended her administration’s record, pointing to initiatives like the “I Serve with a Smile” campaign and infrastructure expansions such as the addition of 500 new beds at Rahima Moosa Hospital.

The Auditor-General’s previous disclaimer opinion—citing over R100 billion in irregularities—continues to shadow the department’s reputation. Nkomo-Ralehoko stressed the need for “financial discipline and accountability” to restore trust and stabilize health service delivery.

She concluded with a stark warning:

“Without additional funding, delays in surgeries, medicine shortages, and overall service deterioration are unavoidable.”

Source: Central News South Africa. (2025, October 15). Gauteng Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko warns budget squeeze hits hospital services hard amid R8 bn debt crunch. Retrieved from https://centralnews.co.za/gauteng-health-mec-nkomo-ralehoko-warns-budget-squeeze-hits-hospital-services-hard-amid-r8bn-debt-crunch/

By Central News (Rewritten and republished by Africa News Alliance)