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Solidarity takes health department to court over controversial NHI posts

Details

SolidarityIn a statement on Tuesday, Solidarity reported that it had served court documents on the Department of Health (DOH), requesting an interdict to be placed on the department’s “unlawful” advertising of posts for the National Health Insurance (NHI).

This after the trade union had earlier threatened the department with legal action if it did not withdraw advertisements for 44 NHI posts placed in August this year. Solidarity argued that such advertising, while the Bill still had to pass parliamentary processes, was unlawful. “The department’s advertisements clearly indicate that it is recruiting competent specialists to assist with preparations for the functions of the NHI fund. It therefore is obvious that the government views the passing of the NHI Bill as a fait accompli and is taking steps while the Bill to operationalise the NHI has not yet been adopted. Such an approach is irrational, unconstitutional and unlawful,” Connie Mulder, Head of the Solidarity Research Institute, explained. According to Solidarity, the National Treasury has already made R30 million available for salaries for the 44 posts for the 2022/2023 financial year, and the DOH intends making appointments to the vacant posts in December 2022. “The fact that funds are spent on posts for a system that has not yet been authorised for implementation, rather than filling the existing gaps in the health sector, indicates that the government is hell-bent on demolishing everything instead of trying to restore the existing system, to the detriment of the health of all South African citizens,” Mulder argued.

  • Read Solidarity’s press statement regarding the above in full at Solidarity News
  • Lees ook, Departement hof toe gesleep oor omstrede NGV-poste, by Maroela Media


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