Hon Speaker, the health crisis in the country is getting worse. The lack of medical equipment and supplies, especially in rural areas, continues to ensure that many members of society suffer because they lack access to basic health care. The other fundamental problem is the lack of health professionals in the country as many trained individuals either join the private sector or leave the country in order to get better pay and improved working conditions.
We constantly hear the Minister of Health detailing the state of our country's health system, yet instead of pushing for an improvement, the Department of Health seems to lack the drive to change things. The inability to renovate hospital infrastructure has pushed away qualified individuals, and those who remain are either too overwhelmed or do not care enough to change things. We cannot allow ourselves to limp along without dealing with the health crisis especially when the department received such a large budget. We must not focus on unnecessary needs but we ought to put the needs; of the South African people first. Thank you. [Applause.]