Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan unveiled the 2012 Budget in Parliament on 22 February 2012. Minister Gordhan stated that “our finances are in good health” and that the “central priority is infrastructure investment expansion with emphasis on improving competitiveness”. This is good news for a developing economy such as our own. HIV-911 applauds the emphasis on improving infrastructure within the country as this is a critical step towards development, alleviation of poverty and improving the quality of life for all South Africans.

He also commented, “It requires an extraordinary national effort from all roleplayers, committed not just to identifying the barriers to progress, not just to proposing solutions, but also working together, over the long haul”. At HIV-911, we take this statement seriously. A central facet of our work as a referral network and data collection centre is the knowledge that working together is the key towards eradicating disease in our country. As a result, HIV-911 has committed itself to developing and constantly updating a health and welfare database for South Africa, which facilitates patient referral and collaboration between service providers. There are now more than 12 000 organisations on the HIV-911 database encompassing all sectors working towards between health and social welfare in our country.

Two statements Minister Gordhan made had our team smiling. Firstly, the honourable Minister stated “Education, health and social assistance will remain the largest categories of expenditure, sustaining and expanding the social wage over the MTEF period ahead. Investment in people is at the centre of our growth and development strategy”. We firmly agree that devoting the majority of our country’s wealth to upgrading and improving health and education for all is critical for national progress.

The Minister also promised to continue to “support job creation, with a particular focus on unemployed youth”. With more than 50 percent of our youth being unable to obtain gainful employment, it is heartening to see serious commitment to job creation by our government.

Minister Gordhan committed an additional R12.3 billion over the next three years to the health sector. This is fantastic news, and this amount will be used to improve infrastructure, medium-term priorities in health spending include hospital infrastructure, upgrade medical facilities and expand health professional training. Progress in these areas will strengthen the public health system, paving the way for the introduction of national health insurance. The old age pension, disability, care grants up have been increased by R60 per month, foster care grants by R30 and the child support grant by R280.

Considering the high prevalence of orphans in our country, this increase is welcomed by HIV-911. With particular regard to health and welfare, we believe that enabling free, public access to vital health information is important. In line with this commitment from government to financially improve the welfare of social grant recipients, we’re proud to be able to provide free health information to all members of the South African public.

By dialling *130* 448# from any mobile handset, you can obtain contact information on your nearest health care. This service has been zero-rated by all networks, except Vodacom, which means that users to not need airtime on their phones to access referral support (Vodacom users can call * 120 * 448# and there is a 60 cent surcharge).

In his recent State of the Nation Speech, President Jacob Zuma stated that “Government alone cannot solve the challenges faced by the country, but working together, solutions are possible” HIV-911 believes this too – and we do all we can to ensure access to critical health and welfare information for all members of South Africa.

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More information on the HIV-911 Programme:

HIV-911 is the flagship programme of the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN), a self-funded Centre of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. We are situated within the Faculty of Applied Human Sciences.

There are a number of ways to access the HIV-911 referral network:

• Hard copy Directories: Updated annually and available for all provinces. Series 5 now in production. To order a hard copy directory for each province, call 031 260 3052 or e-mail robertson@hiv911.org.za
• Impilo Mobile Phone Directory: Call *130*448# to search the HIV-911 directory on your cell phone (No airtime required). (NOTE: free on all networks except Vodacom. Vodacom subscribers to call *120*448# – 60 cents a call)
• SMS service: SMS any query to 45080
• Online Directory: www.hiv911.org.za
• Referral and Data Collection Line: 0860 HIV 911 / 0860 448 911 (office hours)
• HIV-911 is also accessible via the National AIDS Helpline on 0800 012 322

Cath Jenkin
HIV-911