FFC Highlights Budget Trends, Health Sector Challenges, and NHI Implementation in Portfolio Committee Briefing

ape Town, 22 April 2025 — FFC Flags Health Sector Inefficiencies and Funding Gaps

The Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) briefed Parliament’s Health Committee on challenges in South Africa’s health sector, citing inefficiencies, uneven grant performance, and underfunding amid plans for National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout.

The 2025 health budget of R64.8 billion sees modest increases focused on staffing, medical supplies, and NHI groundwork. However, the FFC warned these rises may fall short of systemic needs, especially given ongoing underspending.

Key grants, including the District Health Programme and National Tertiary Services Grants, show limited growth. Health entities reported mixed performance, with notable gaps at SAHPRA and the OHSC.

The FFC called for better budget alignment with outcomes, improved data systems, and a national patient registry to support NHI implementation. Structural reforms and accountability improvements were also recommended to enhance efficiency and equity in public healthcare.

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