ACDP says lack of health workers threaten ARV roll-out

Cheryllyn Dudley MP


The ACDP, like many South Africans, is seriously concerned that the 2005 budget made no reference to resource allocation specifically for the newly rolled out ARV treatment programme.

Of the 53 000 target for individuals to receive ARV treatment at public facilities, 28 786 are accessing treatment at these facilities. This is indicative of major problems as pointed out by the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA).

Increased resources require improved capacity to manage and spend the allocations.

Currently, the health sector is under strain due to staff shortages and insufficient management structures at district and local levels. As a consequence, the HIV/AIDS programmes are affected, leading to a slow roll out of all vital health services including the anti-retroviral treatment to HIV/AIDS patients.

The ACDP calls on government to produce a comprehensive plan for human resource development in support of increased budgets.

Policy decisions that have had radically negative consequences must also be re-evaluated. The recent legislation to ensure policy dramatically increase access to abortion has added unbearable pressures on already burdened and stressed health workers prompting the nurses union - DENOSA to say that nurses will be forced to resign in protest.

Our health professionals are in demand throughout the world and we cannot afford to be blasé or stiff-necked.