Hon Chairperson, the ACDP recognises the critical importance of legislation that would serve to enhance the health and wellbeing of our nation, given the current challenges we face locally, as well as globally, and the impact of these challenges on our economy.
It is stated that the role of a National Health Institute is to provide leadership and directions to programmes that are designed to improve health and to support research in among other things, understanding of mental addictive and physical disorders. There is a critical need for an entity such as the National Institute for Injury and Violence Prevention that forms part of NAFISA. As such, we wish to highlight the following.
The ACDP wishes to highlight the critical need for us to research and focus on mental health as a contributor to violence crimes against the most vulnerable people in our society - our women and children. The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, during our discussion on gender-based violence, GBV, said the following, and I quote, "We must get inside the heads of these people who commit such crimes."
Reportedly, a staggering 1 000 children are murdered annually in Cape Town alone. Our communities are suffering under violence. It is as such that the ACDP supports this legislation. We are asking that there needs to be critical research into psychiatric disorders and the significant impact that it has on our communities. We need to research effectively what will stop these violent crimes from being perpetrated upon our children.
It has been reported that the man that is responsible for the death of Tasne Van Wyk was kept in his house because his family feared what he would do to children. We have to ask them. We need to then emphasise how important it is for the prevention of violence against women and children - that research be conducted. The ACDP supports this legislation. Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM Ms M E SUKERS
Hon House Chair, at the very outset, please allow me to tell you that the NFP supports the Bill tabled here today. Let me start of by saying that I just want to respond to the member from the EFF. She is correct when she says that this Bill is not going to give you more doctors, but if implemented, it simply means that you will not need as many doctors as you need today. [Applause.] [Laughter.]
She is correct when she says it is not going to give you medicine, but if implemented, there will be a need for less medicine than we have at the moment. The reason for that is - she goes on to say - that there is no research. If you read the amendment to the Bill, it clearly talks about training and research, if necessary, in order to address challenges in the health sector.
So, the purpose of this is - let me give you a good example and I hope that the department is taking cognisance of this: This particular province has the highest incidents of diabetes. We know the challenges of cancer we face in the country. I had the opportunity of sitting next to somebody on the plane recently and everyone in this House knows who she is but I won't mention her name. Her research shows that even Sunlight liquid soap is one of the root causes of cancer.
So, this Bill can address these issues in terms of its research to prevent people from picking up illnesses like cancer and diabetes - the effects of Coca Cola and everything else! I think we must welcome this initiative. This started previously with the former Minister of Health. He came and gave a detailed briefing to the committee. Let me also add that even the members of the EFF were there, supported it and made input in that committee - the Portfolio Committee on Health.
So, let us not come here and run everything down. When there is a good initiative which is going to benefit our people, let us support it. Equally, if there is a problem, we can address that too. However, if you run down everything - let me tell you that the emphasis here is on prevention, to be able to identify certain diseases and other things before they get out of hand. I think it is a commendable thing.
Yes, there are going to be implications in terms of cots, but then we have to measure the value of the money that you are spending and what returns we are getting. If you save a hundred lives and spend R1 0000000, then you equate that, you basically saved R100 000000 in the country. So, yes indeed, the NFP will support this amendment. Thank you. [Applause.]
Again, I will ask: Are there any objections to this amending Bill being passed? [Interjections.] Ja, it is a long time. My apologies: The ANC should close the declarations. My apologies! The seats he took. Please hon members, sit here. I look at the seats; they remind me. Thank you. Continue!
Mr K L JACOBS Mr A M SHAIK-EMAM
Hon Chairperson, I am also happy that you didn't deny me my first opportunity at this podium. [Applause.]
That means it is his maiden speech. We know the Rules about that.
Chair, access to health care became a basic human right in the democratic South Africa, with a right to health care services being provided for in three sections of the Constitution of South Africa. Section 27 of the Constitution of South Africa provides that every person has a right to have access to health care services and further places the state as a central role player in ensuring that it takes reasonable legislative and other measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of these rights.
The National Development Plan, NDP, envisions a health system that works for everyone and produces positive health outcomes. Goal 6 of the NDP addresses the need for a complete reform in health systems through integrating the different parts of the health system. The NDP also emphasises the need for the development of an information system for managing diseases - a function which National Public Health Institute of SA, Naphisa, will fulfil through its integrated and co-ordinated disease and injury surveillance.
The National Public Health Institute of South Africa Bill before us speaks to the establishment of a single national public entity. For the co- ordination of public health services to ensure that such services are evidence based through its research, surveillance, training, monitoring and evaluation.
To hon Chirwa, I want to say the following: The Bill is not intended to provide clinical services. Please go and read the Bill and you will find that it is for the establishment of an expert national body to the further improvement of the health of the people of South Africa, responding to the major health problems affecting our people. It will monitor the welfare and health of the population on silly factors which could cause harm and develop and promote measures to improve the situation.
We are reminded of the leadership and support that South Africa provided to Sierra Leon as some of the first responders in January 2015 with the outbreak of Ebola. There, south Africa showed that it is at the forefront and a leader in the health care system of the world, and contributing to health in the entire world. This institute will provide a national capacity to drive evidence-informed preventive health policy and programmes, as well as providing evidence on the social determinants of health. The research should generate new knowledge; make it easier to absorb innovations from international science network; and the application of such knowledge for new development.
I wish to say to the FF-Plus, the ANC will also make certain that it is not just another state entity. In fact, if you look at the definition of this entity, then it will say that national Parliament thus will have oversight over this entity. So, this puts at rest those points which he raised. As the ANC, we remain committed to the promotion of health through preventive measures. The establishment of National Public Health Institute of SA will be one such method towards achieving the intended health goals and objective of the country. In conclusion thus, the ANC supports the National Public Health Institute of South Africa Bill as well as the committee report on the above subject matter. Thank you. [Applause.]
HOUSE CHAIRPERSON (Ms M G Boroto) / Mosa 28.02.2020 @13:55 / TAKE ENDS AT 15:45