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