CAPE TOWN - Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana has injected R28,9 billion into the health budget.
This will be used to pay about 9,300 healthcare workers.
"The added amount will also be used to employ 800 post-community service doctors and to ensure that our pharmacies do not run out of medicines," he said.
Godongwana highlighted that a significant portion of the provincial health budget is spent on
the salaries and wages.
He announced during his budget speech on Wednesday after it was postponed in February.
The minister announced that health spending will grow from R277 billion in 2024/25 to R329 billion in 2027/28.
This will to support the equitable provision of public health services, including free primary healthcare.
This will try to address the challenges in the health system in the country, which include ailing infrastructure and a shortage of healthcare workers.
The country is currently sitting with thousands of unemployed doctors who have previously taken to the streets, calling for vacancies while the department of health battles financial constraints.