Hon Chairperson, I rise on behalf of the ANC to support the Budget Vote of the Department of Health, because it is in line with the ANC's manifesto and the National Development Plan in terms of laying a solid foundation for the introduction of the National Health Insurance, which will ensure universal health coverage and social solidarity, which implies the cross-subsidisation of the poor by the well-off, and equity, which will ensure that those with the greatest need are not marginalised for the lack of material resources.
This budget will further strengthen a free primary care model, which consists of three streams, namely the creation and deployment of ward-based PSC outreach teams; strengthening of integrated school health services and the establishment of district clinical specialist teams.
This budget also places a special focus on improving quality of health care, which has been recognised by the NDP as an important building block for the NHI. In this budget there is an allocation of about R976 million to the independent office for Health Standards Compliance, whose responsibility is to ensure safe, quality health care system for all South Africans, which will also address the question of the norms and standards, and would include cleanliness that the hon member of the UDM spoke about.
Through this budget we shall ensure that there is 100% compliance with the national core standards by 10 central hospitals, 17 tertiary hospitals, 46 regional hospitals and 63 specialised hospitals by 2018.
This budget will enable the department to accelerate delivery of quality health care services. We support this budget and we hope that those who love their lives will also do so. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Vote agreed to (Economic Freedom Fighters dissenting).
Vote No 17 - Higher Education and Training - put.
Declarations of vote: