Deputy Speaker and members, the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, MTBPS, which we are debating here today is a statement of courage and hope in the most turbulent time in recent economic history. We must look beyond this crisis and encourage the expansion of public services, especially in the areas of education and health. It is in this spirit that we welcome the MTBPS within the current difficulties we face.
In this regard, the ANC has set up a programme to improve education by: progressively expanding the nutrition programme to include high school learners in poorer communities; improving the national norms and standards in teaching and learning including providing learner-support material and adequate education infrastructure; reviewing our curriculum to best suit the needs of the developmental state; reviewing Adult Basic Education and Training to ensure that it better responds to the skills demands of the country; establishing a National Education Evaluation and Development Unit for purposes of monitoring, evaluation and support; expanding the number of no-fee schools and progressively introducing free education for the poor up to undergraduate level; improving the conditions of service of teachers; fast-tracking early childhood development to ensure universal access to Grade R by 2010 and doubling the number of facilities available for 0 to 4- year-old children by 2014; and to enhance the quality of education and skills development focusing on improving the foundation phase literacy and numeracy and on increasing the number of learners that pass Grade 12, particularly in mathematics and science.
We welcome the additional adjustment of R524 million allocated for workloads on literacy and numeracy for Grade 1 to 6 in Quintile 1-3 schools, and the total adjustment of R561,6 million. An adjustment of R12 billion for salaries to provinces has been given, however, this is not specifically for education.
One of the critical areas of spending that will require more resources over the medium-term is our health care system. We therefore welcome the department's ten-point plan and hope that this will lay the foundation for the universal access to free quality health care supported by the National Health System, and revitalisation of hospitals.
We recommend that our spending on health care over the medium-term must focus on developing a reliable single health information system; intervention to reduce the high cost of health provision; developing recruitment and human resource development strategy for health professionals and preventing the exodus of health professionals to other countries; accelerating the roll-out of the comprehensive health care programme, such as provision of antiretroviral treatment which will be dispensed at all health facilities; and accelerating the programme for hospital recapitalisation and revitalisation including innovative solutions that will accommodate private public partnership.
The adjusted estimates reflect that the total increase for the department amounts to R1,3 billion, which includes 17% roll-over funds from 2008-09.
One of the biggest challenges facing our health care system and which poses a significant threat to our future is HIV and Aids. The current death rate from HIV and Aids-related deaths is becoming higher than that of the birth rate. We must urgently address this matter with a focus on prevention and treatment.
Adjusted estimates include R900 million for antiretroviral treatment and Comprehensive HIV and Aids Care Management and Treatment; R160 million for H1N1 influenza; R20 million for countrywide measles and polio mass immunisation campaign; R30 million for 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup Health preparation strategy grant; general salary adjustments for the national Department of Health is R11 million; and for the public entities National Health Laboratory Service and Medical Research Council, R7,3 and R5,8 million respectively.
We support the adjusted appropriation of R18 billion for health care. We welcome the MTBPS and wish to congratulate the Minister of Finance on achieving his tasks under these difficult conditions. We further welcome the reallocation of resources towards our five key priorities and look forward to a government that spends more effectively without cutting back on service delivery. The ANC supports the MTBPS. Thank you. [Applause.]