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Aids adds to SA's burden
28/07/2004 20:27 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The impact of HIV/Aids in South Africa further compounds the problems caused by a high-injury burden, diseases of poverty and chronic diseases.
This is according to findings contained in the South African Health Review (SAHR) released on Wednesday by the Health Systems Trust.
According to the review, per capita spending at district level on Primary Health Care (PHC) ranges from R389 in richer districts to R42 in the poorest districts. This means that many districts are simply not able to afford the PHC package estimated at approximately R220 per capita.
Although spending on health in the public sector in 2005/6 is projected to increase by R8.7bn in real terms over a decade, much of the funding has been absorbed by HIV/Aids, medical inflation and relatively higher salaries. This has resulted in real expenditure per capita stagnating. The survey also shows that substantial inter-provincial inequities continue to exist.
On a positive note, the findings indicate that 94% of pregnant women receive antenatal care and there has been an improvement in the quality and quantity of health-related data for planning and policy formulation purposes.
The SAHR provides a critical reflection on the progress towards making health services available to all South Africans over the past ten years.
- SAPA
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HIV/Aids Special Report
