P8 million collected from Tobacco Levy
Lerato Maleke | Wednesday February 25, 2015 11:48
Makgato was requesting Parliament to approve her ministry’s recurrent budget proposal for 2015/2016, which amounts to P5,674,990, 410.
She said the MoH has introduced a 30% Tobacco Levy with the purpose of promoting projects and activities designed to combat the use of tobacco products and harmful effects.
She also said her ministry is faced with several challenges like the construction and maintenance of staff houses. Other challenges are development and implementation of projects, engagement of health managers, employment of health care assistants, specifically to relieve professionals from non-clinical duties, as well as strengthening community health service.
“Among other challenges are expanding and increasing intake in Institute of Health Sciences and opening of a Medical School in the country,” she said.
She added that the ministry is in the fourth year of implementing the revised National Health Policy of 2011.
“My Ministry with support from World Health Organisation (WHO) and PEPFAR has started the third round of the National Health Accounts. “The results from this study will help the ministry in its budgeting process as well as assessing whether or not the available resources are allocated appropriately to target high impact interventions,” said Makgato.
The ministry has also completed the Data Management Policy, as well as a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
The two documents are however still to be disseminated to all relevant stakeholders for optimal usage. During this financial year the MoH conducted a situational analysis of rehabilitation programmes, which was intended to guide the development of a Rehabilitation Strategic Plan in 2015/2016.
“Also, the Disability Card is being reviewed in consultation with relevant stakeholders to improve its access and utilisation by different sectors.”