The National Department of Health also briefed the Committee in respect of the Gauteng Province and the accrual of debt that the Gauteng Department of Health was facing. It was reported that, over the years, the Gauteng Department of Health had been underfunded and was mismanaged. These had led to the accruals amounting to R2.8 billion. The National Department of Health anticipated that this will be at approximately R3 billion by the end of the 2011/12 financial year. The Committee was informed that the National Department of Health planned to first address the accruals by June 2012. For this purpose, an Accruals Project Team made up of the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Finance Department was formed. A clearing house had also been established jointly between the two provincial departments. In addition to these two, the National Department of Health has also established a supplier queries centre. Moving forward the Department would ensure that funds for medicines are earmarked as of 1 April 2012 as well as provide the required support to the Province.