The Democratic Alliance is calling on the government to clarify the true cost of the Cuban doctor’s deployment in South Africa which is said to be nearly R440 million.
Democratic Alliance Shadow minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube says minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize attempted to explain the rationale for obtaining foreign aid during a press conference on Tuesday, 28 April 2020, but left many questions hanging.
“Chief among these questions is where this R440 million will be coming from and whether this is a justifiable use of public resources,’ she said.
Gwarube adds that parliamentary questions have been submitted to urgently obtain information.
Democratic Alliance argues that the available information suggests that National Treasury is looking to the provinces that will be getting health doctors allocated to them to fund the endeavor while the coffers are already stretched.
“Many provinces are stretched to their absolute limits with many unfilled critical vacancies. It would be irresponsible to expect funds to be redirected to funding the deployment of these doctors,” they said.
The Democratic Alliance also reiterates that every effort to made to wage war against the pandemic is welcome, but must include South African Health professionals.
“We must make sure that every doctor, specialist and any other needed health professional is put to work as a priority before any other heath care worker elsewhere in the world,” they said.
