The Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination says it is concerned that a number of health projects budgeted for in the 2012 Development estimates have not yet been implemented.
This is in response to questions raised by concerned citizens over the deteriorating state of public hospitals. The public has questioned whether the Government has allocated enough resources to improve and maintain health services delivery for people of the country.But the Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination clarifies that allocations under the Ministry of Health "have not been touched, although we're now into the third quarter of the financial year."
Supervising Permanent Secretary Allan Daonga confirms that under the Approved 2012 Development Budget Estimates, the Government has allocated a total of SBD$3 million dollars for the National Referral Hospital's Upgrading and Refurbishment Project.
Mr Daonga says the approved work plan for the project this year also has a component to continue with the work on the Dental Clinic at the National Referral Hospital.
Despite such budgetary support Mr Daonga confirms that as of 30th September 2012, there was no record of expenditure under this Budget Head.
Mr Daonga also says the rehabilitation of Kilu'ufi Hospital has an allocation of SBD$500,000 dollars in the 2012 Development Estimates.
But again, records have shown, the allocated resources have not yet been expended to date by the ministry concerned.
Mr Daonga says they are concerned that these worthwhile projects may not be fully implemented this year given that we are now into the final quarter of 2012.
Attempts to get comments from the Ministry of Health were unsuccessful.