Budget justice

Without a doubt, the current crisis in the public healthcare system is linked to the slowing of health expenditure each year. Budget cuts, reduced allocations to provinces, and a continued public spending ceiling, undermine the provision of health services and the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers. South Africa’s commitment to austerity budgeting — and reduced overall spending on health — does not prioritise the rights of public healthcare users. Instead of cuts, additional funding is needed to fill vacancies and ensure more doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers can be hired.

TAC is a member of the Budget Justice Coalition (BJC), a coalition of like minded social justice organisations advocating for better understanding of budgets and more involvement from communities. .