State hospitals are coughing up a fortune keeping the power running during Eskom’s blackouts, spending almost R700m on fuel between 1 April 1 2022 and 28 February 2023, according to Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, who said the total spend was R19 281 000 over budget.
The Minister said in total, countrywide, R685 935 000 was spent on diesel, with KwaZulu-Natal leading the expenditure at R178 387 000, followed by Gauteng at R131 357 000 and the Western Cape at R102 68 000.
The Free State and Northern Cape recorded the lowest amounts at R21 263 000 and R28 303 000, reports TimesLIVE.
Phaahla said he told health director-general Sandile Buthelezi to meet Eskom to discuss solutions.
“The first engagement took place on 22 September last year: the meetings are held regularly to seek more exemptions for healthcare facilities. There are further ongoing discussions with the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs and various municipalities regarding additional exemptions for private and public healthcare facilities from the grid,” he said.
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