Limpopo’s struggles as USAID withdrawal leads to job losses | Review

POLOKWANE – Limpopo is among many provinces facing challenges after the retrenchment of skilled workers from non-government organisations (NGOs) that previously supported the provincial Department of Health in managing HIV/aids.

This follows a decision to withdraw USAID funding for among others, Aids relief and related epidemic treatments.

The provincial government is under pressure from multiple fronts, including an increase in the number of unemployed professionals previously employed by these NGOs. Additionally, unions are voicing concerns about the placement of graduate doctors and nurses, a topic that has been highlighted in recent protest demonstrations.

According to sources, the provincial government recently assessed the impact of the funding withdrawal on local communities and concluded that it would have minimal effect on the procurement of ARVs, as funding for this comes through the Treasury, according to them.

Spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela stated that the assessment also considered potential budget requirements to address any gaps in the upcoming financial year.

Ramakuela referred Polokwane Observer to Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, for more details.

Shikwambana confirmed that the only NGO currently funded to assist with Aids relief in the province is Anova, which had 111 data capturers placed in 106 health facilities across the Mopani and Capricorn districts.

He said that NGOs involved in signed partnerships with the department already receive supplies like ARVs, family planning materials, testing kits and lab tests, ensuring that there would be no disruption in the supply of these services.

From January, following a US executive order, a significant number of employees at the Anova branch in Seshego were retrenched, and the remaining staff were let go on Friday after a meeting with health officials.

This has raised concerns that progress in improving the patient-to-staff ratio in local public healthcare may be reversed, a situation already widely criticised.

Grace Mulaudzi* (25), a former Aids relief administrator at the Broadreach Health Development in Mpumalanga, shared her concerns about the impact on patients in remote areas.

She explained that with fewer health facility options and a continued shortage of staff, patients are likely to default on their treatments unless a strategy is quickly developed. Mulaudzi was retrenched along with more than 500 other employees from various NGO branches.

“When we received the formal order to stop working in January, we were not allowed to dispatch another batch of ARVs to patients. We were given paid suspension in February, and our CEO was transparent about the possibility of receiving UIF from the Department of Labour for three months starting in March,” she said.

Mulaudzi added that the hope for many affected workers lies in being absorbed by the government.

Shikwambana reassured that the Department of Health would advertise jobs in line with its annual recruitment plans, providing opportunities for these displaced professionals. He also mentioned that the department had seconded patient administration clerks from hospitals to clinics where needed.

Nikki Stuart, director of Choice Trust, a public benefit organisation (PBO), told Observer on March 4 that 110 staff members involved in a USAID-funded programme had been retrenched. She explained that this programme was one of the organisation’s largest initiatives.

Stuart at the time said they would continue to work with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development to ensure access to healthcare services and called for work opportunities for those affected by the retrenchments.

Stuart also appealed for donations to their organisation.

“We are a registered PBO and can provide a Section 18A Certificate for tax deduction purposes. We offer income-generating services such as health and development training, including HIV awareness, cancer talks, savings and loans training, and food security training. Additionally, we are establishing the CHoiCe Centre of Care, where we will continue providing home-based palliative care services, caregiver services, and related training.”

(*Not her real name, to protect her identity)