on access to healthcare
29 May 2007
As part of its mandate to monitor the exercise and enjoyment of rights
(section 27 (a) of the Constitution), the South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC) will be conducting public hearings on the state of healthcare services
in South Africa. The hearings will be held at the commission's offices in
Johannesburg on 30-31 May and 1 June 2007. These hearings are necessitated by
the fact that despite existing policy and legislation governing the healthcare
sector, a cursory diagnosis by the Commission indicates that access to
healthcare services in the public healthcare system and the quality of care
provided are of great concern.
Apart from high profile court judgments, investigations and annual surveys
that pronounce on the ills of the sector, the Commission has received many
complaints with regard to poor service delivery in the healthcare system in all
the provinces. These information sources point to the many challenges most
state hospitals face in the country, the shortage of trained healthcare
workers, lack of drugs in clinics, long waiting periods for treatment, poor
infrastructure, disregard for patients' rights, the shortage of ambulance
services and poor hospital management.
The commission has also undertook visits to various healthcare facilities in
several provinces. It was found during these visits that while some clinics and
hospitals were doing exceptionally well, conditions in others were totally
unacceptable. All these factors pointing to poor service delivery have
compelled the commission to hold public inquiries on the right to access
healthcare services. Thus far, close to 60 submissions have been received from
a wide spectrum of stakeholders including government, civil society, healthcare
providers and these indicate that the provision of healthcare services remains
a challenge for the country. The commission believes that more issues will be
raised during oral presentations scheduled to take place during the three
days.
For more information, please contact:
Lorraine Molepo
Tel: 011 484 8300 ext 2092
Cell: 072 011 3621
E-mail: LMolepo@sahrc.org.za
Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
29 May 2007
