The health sector continues to face a number of acute challenges including access to primary health care and the fight against HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality has also been slow. As highlighted by the HSRC, around 60 per cent of maternal deaths are due to treatable diseases. A severe shortage of health professionals and inadequate infrastructure has compounded these difficulties. Funding for the health services currently accounts for 3.4 per cent of GDP and 11.8 per cent of consolidated government expenditure.