The number of sites distributing nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant mothers in Mpumalanga would increase to 55 by early next year, premier Ndaweni Mahlangu announced on Friday.
He said the province would also enlarge its home-based care network for those infected by the disease and over 150 people had been trained to assist in this regard.
”We will do this while strengthening partnerships against HIV and Aids,” he said at the opening of the provincial legislature.
Mahlangu said R35-million had been set aside in the next financial year for HIV/Aids programmes.
”We hope to spend R3-million in order to increase voluntary counselling and HIV/Aids testing sites from 96 to 183. In the next financial year we intend spending more than R2,1-billion beefing up health services in the province,” he said.
The province would also spend more than R21-million on the construction of clinics in areas including Buffelspruit and Iswepe.
Mahlangu said that last year the province spent more than R22-million upgrading hospitals and building new community health centres. Work had started on the R104-million Piet Retief hospital which was expected to be completed next year.
”We expect to spend more than R47-million in the next financial year adding new structures to six hospitals,” he said.
Referring to the recent arrest of doctors for theft of medicines at state hospitals, Mahlangu said corruption by civil servants was an obstacle in the delivery of services.
”These apprehensions revealed the immorality of many in our communities who will stop at nothing in their quest for luxury life, including killing and stealing from the poor.
”These arrests must send a message to many culprits in our public service and parastatals who through fraud and theft undermine government programmes to build a better life for all,” he said.
The premier congratulated the police for the quick arrests in an incident involving the killing of a tourist and the injuring of her husband at Pilgrim’s Rest last year.
”Allow me to commend the criminal justice system for ensuring, in the shortest possible time, the Pilgrim’s Rest killer gets a life sentence.”
Prince Mogane (19) was given a life sentence in December last year for his role in the murder of British tourist Diane Conway in her hotel room in Pilgrim’s Rest. The youth was also given a 44-year sentence for the attempted murder of Conway’s husband Jon.
Mahlangu said the province’s economy had grown by over three percent which was in line with the national growth rate.
”Investment projects valued at over R150-million are already underway and expected to be completed by end of the financial year,” Mahlangu. – Sapa