(1)Considering the role of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and with reference to a situational analysis that revealed that the NHLS has a spiralling debt crisis that currently sits at R1,2 billion, which implies that the NHLS is essentially operating with an unfunded mandate, what is his department’s plan of action to recover the millions of rands owed by Provincial Health Departments;
(2) whether, in light of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, National Institute of Occupational Health, Forensic Chemistry Laboratory Services (FCLS) and National Cancer Registry operating under unfunded mandates without funding from the National Treasury, the shortage of staff and rotations, especially in the FCLS, contributed to the creation of a backlog in the turnaround time for sample testing and results; if so, has the severe backlog affected the SA Police Service in the apprehension of suspects and/or the conviction of the alleged suspects?