Trade union Solidarity expressed its concern on Friday about the precarious state of health care in the public sector and argued that the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), as confirmed by newly appointed Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, would only bring “large-scale and far-reaching disaster”.  

Morné Malan, senior researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI), explained:  “Last year, we heard about the Life Esidimeni scandal, the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital crisis, reports from the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) indicating that only 1% of state hospitals comply with basic requirements, and we heard about crises in the North West Province and elsewhere.  Now we hear about fires at hospitals in Durban, violence in Gauteng hospitals, patients tied to chairs in Mamelodi, terrible conditions in Ga-Rankuwa, and staff shortages across the country.  What would have to happen before the governing party realises it is incapable of managing health care?”  Solidarity has indicated its support for expanding private sector services to make them more affordable and accessible.  Malan went on to indicate:  “Instead of punishing an excellent private sector by a de facto nationalisation of health care, the skills and systems that are in place in the private sector should be used to improve the system so everyone can make use of it.”  Hennie Bierman, Head of the Solidarity Occupational Guilds, commented that “we are truly concerned that government can believe that a centralised health system such as the NHI is the solution to deliver quality health care.  The NHI will push our health practitioners, who are already under huge pressure, over the edge.”

• Read Solidarity’s press statement at Polity
• Read too, Parliament’s health portfolio committee hears that NHI Bill ‘is a must’, at Parliament News (press statement)

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