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The Eastern Cape Department of Health has announced the creation of 577 new health sector positions, funded under the Emergency HAST Programme. The intervention focuses on expanding services for HIV, TB, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The funding comes from a dedicated emergency grant, with recruitment targeted at supporting clinical and data functions across the province.
1. What is the HAST Programme?
The HAST Programme refers to the Department of Health’s initiative to combat HIV/AIDS, STIs, and TB. It forms part of the national health strategy aimed at improving prevention, testing, and treatment services — especially in rural and high-burden areas.
This emergency recruitment drive is intended to plug staffing gaps that have affected service delivery in recent years.
2. How many posts are being added?
A total of 577 posts have been created, according to a social media statement by the Eastern Cape ANC and an infographic attributed to MEC for Health, Cde Ntandokazi Capa.
The breakdown is as follows:
| Position Type | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Professional Nurses (General) | 148 |
| Data Capturers | 239 |
| HTS Counsellors (Lay Counsellors) | 72 |
| Staff Nurses | 38 |
| IT Technicians & Information Officers | 53 (combined) |
| Clinical Programme Co-ordinators | 27 |
3. Why this matters
The Eastern Cape has long faced human resource shortages in health, especially in rural clinics and HIV/TB programmes. Critical functions like data capturing, counselling, and case management have been affected by understaffing.
This emergency intervention could help:
- Reduce waiting times at clinics
- Improve HIV testing and counselling capacity
- Strengthen health data systems
- Relieve pressure on overburdened nurses
4. Who will benefit?
While no regional distribution was provided, the intervention is likely to benefit:
- Primary healthcare clinics with high HIV/TB caseloads
- District hospitals in need of nursing support
- Programme offices managing data and reporting systems
Recruitment outcomes and deployment transparency will be key in measuring the programme’s impact
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