Msukaligwa Local Municipality 2008/09 - Co-operative Governance ...

scale. The fact that so many families have a decreased income and increased spending on funerals and healthcare means that there is lessmoney in the economy.• The economy is also affected by the high rate of absenteeism of people who are ill or people who are caring for those who are ill. In the long termthe economy is affected by the fact that trained and skilled workers will die and that it will cost a lot of money to replace people in terms of training.There will also be a reduction in the number of workers available in our economy. Ultimate when less money is available in the economy, there is adecrease in savings and Investments. Banks have less money available to lend and this drives up the east of borrowing money. This will have adirect effect on government’s ability to invest In Infrastructure. Government will also be affected by the high expenses of providing health care andwelfare for people with HIV/Aids and their families. Less money will be available in government coffers for providing basic services. In poor areas1fewer people will be able to pay for basic services and this will affect the local economy of the municipalityOn education• In most countries in Southern Africa where research has been done, it was found that teachers were among the sector most affected by FIIVIAIDSin Zambia, almost twice the number of teachers is dying from AIDS as The normal population. This decrease in the availability of teachers canhave ‘a serious impact on education.• At the same time, the demand for schooling will change in areas where child-headed households cause young girls and boys to drop out of school.This decrease in a demand for education does not mean that fewer teachers are needed. In most areas, it simply means that children havedropped out of school and other methods will have to be found to ensure that they get back into the mainstream or schooling.• A number of studies have shown that there, is a very high infection rate in young adults at tertiary institutions. This means that many of the peoplewho are already receiving a higher level of education and who will be the future leaders of our economy may die before they fulfil their potential.On the municipality, service delivery and housing• The epidemic will change the composition and ages of residents in the housing dwelling units; this will have implications on the design andstructure of future housing. Fewer single units will be required but larger units will be needed to cater for extended families.• The increasing number of economically active people becoming infected or dying will drastically reduce current payment levels that will affectservice delivery.• Municipal staff will also be affected and productivity may decrease due to absenteeism and the loss of skilled staff.On our Health Services• The increased need for health care will lead to overcrowding and poorer quality care.• Currently clinics and hospitals are experiencing an increase of attendees presenting themselves with HIV/AIDS related diseases andInfections, The increasing queues and the waiting periods at clinics and hospitals will lead to overcrowding poorer quality care.• Additional medicines have to be made available for people who get opportunistic Infections. This together with testing counselling andprevention services that clinics and hospitals have to implement put an extra burden on both budgets and staff.• Other health services for problems other than AIDS will start to suffer. Staff turnover in the health services will increase further and recruitment willbecome more difficult as HIV takes its toll on health workers both through infection and burnout.Msukaligwa Municipality: Integrated Development Plan 2007/2012 316