Mashego’s First Year Delivers Unqualified Audit and Health Gains as Limpopo’s R28.7bn Budget Targets Rural Access

MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego delivered Budget Vote 7 at the Limpopo Legislature in Lebowakgomo on 7 May 2026, reporting an unqualified audit and gains across maternal, HIV, TB and emergency services.

LEBOWAKGOMO – In her first year in office, Limpopo MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego has secured an unqualified audit opinion for the department while reporting measurable gains in maternal care, HIV, TB, renal services and emergency response.

The achievements were tabled alongside a 10% budget increase to R28.7 billion for 2026/27 during her Budget Vote 7 speech at the Limpopo Legislature on 7 May 2026.  

Mashego told the House that the budget reflects government’s “unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the Province.” Of the R28.7 billion, R15.2 billion is allocated to district health services and district hospitals, where most residents first encounter the system.

A further R3.3 billion goes to regional and specialised hospitals, R2.8 billion to tertiary services, R2.1 billion to HIV and TB programmes, and R164.9 million to malaria control.  

Mashego highlighted that the department achieved an unqualified audit opinion in her first year, a result she said reflects improved financial governance and accountability. The clean audit comes as clinical indicators move in the right direction.  

Maternal mortality declined to 83 per 100,000 live births, surpassing the provincial target of 110. The improvement is linked to specialist recruitment, with 26 specialists now deployed across districts to manage high-risk pregnancies.  

In paediatric HIV, viral load suppression among children improved from 57.1% to 92.8%, while ART retention at 12 months reached 95.3%, both above target. Through the national campaign to close the ART care gap, Limpopo linked 104,056 individuals who had dropped out back to treatment, achieving 57.5% of its 180,975 target.  

Prevention efforts expanded access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, with uptake reaching 24,759 individuals in the first 11 months of 2025/26, exceeding the annual target of 20,000.  

Facility-based TB screening exceeded 100% coverage, and TB testing increased by 75.3% compared to the previous year. Treatment initiation reached 99.2%, above the national target of 95%, with a treatment success rate of 81%. Mashego acknowledged concern over the TB death rate of 13.1%, driven largely by late presentation, and said the department would intensify community-based testing and early detection in 2026/27.  

The HPV vaccination programme achieved 96% coverage, the highest in the country. Cervical screening improved with the procurement of eight additional colposcopy machines, ensuring all 37 hospitals offering acute services are equipped.  

Through the ‘Cataract Must Fall’ campaign, 1,874 cataract procedures were performed across the province. The programme restored sight to patients including 12-year-old Katlego, who returned to school after surgery.  

Limpopo operates 476 primary health care facilities, with 204 already providing 24-hour services. The department plans to expand this to 80 more facilities in 2026/27 using night-duty and on-call models.  

Renal services are being decentralised. The Tshilidzini renal dialysis unit was completed, commissioned and became operational on 4 May 2026, assisting 5 patients. A second unit in Letaba is expected in Q3 of 2026/27.  

Emergency Medical Services were strengthened with a 24-hour aeromedical service capable of night landings in remote areas. The province also rolled out a Computer-Aided Dispatch system to improve call handling, resource allocation and response times. Fleet capacity is being rebuilt, with 140 new ambulances planned for 2026/27 after 566 were procured in 2023/24 and 44 added in 2025/26.  

In tertiary care, 10 digital X-ray units were installed across 10 hospitals, integrated with the Picture Archiving and Communication System to reduce turnaround times and improve diagnostic efficiency.

Clinical leadership was bolstered with the appointment of 1 Head of Clinical Department, 4 Heads of Clinical Units, 22 medical and dental specialists, and 15 medical officers who completed specialisation exams.  

Mashego said the 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan sets clear targets to expand 24-hour services, strengthen disease prevention, improve emergency response, and stabilise human resources.  

“This Budget Vote is about measurable progress and accountable delivery,” she told the legislature. “Our responsibility is not only to plan, but to deliver; not only to commit, but to fulfil.”  

She thanked Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, the portfolio committee on health, HOD Dr Ndwamato and the department’s staff for their support.  

MEC Dieketseng Mashego and HOD Dr. Ntodeni Norha pose with Limpopo Department of Health management and staff under the Operation Bophelopele banner, marking a renewed push for improved service delivery.