7 July 2011
The SACP has over the years campaigned for a revamped public health system and for the provision of free, public and quality healthcare to all our people as part and parcel of deepening our democracy and giving meaning to the socio-economic rights that many of our people struggled for.
For years, the matter of provision of health of our people has been left to the whims of the market where profit maximisation is the sole objective of those involved, be it via medical aids or even running private practices and hospitals. Provision of health services to the people is not seen as part and parcel of rendering to our people a right that is not only enshrined in the constitution but a right they are entitled to.
Profit maximisation means that this constitutional right has been greatly undermined and the capitalists are not even ashamed to make money out of such a serious human issue. Resources and capacity have been squeezed out of the public sector. A subtle warfare have been launched against any attempt to revamp the public health system and the paragons of free market ideology have been given acres of space in the media to undermine the public health care sector.
It is for this reason that the SACP fully supports the Minister of Health’s analysis that the at the heart of an objection to the NHI is private interest which we must mobilise our communities to defeat. The SACP calls on government to be bold and move with the necessary speed in the implementation of the NHI. The interests of the capitalists must be defeated even with the support of the free market apologists who parade as analysts.
The SACP further calls on our structures to mobilise and lead a health movement towards NHI which will support and oversee the implementation of the 10 point plan in our communities. We must further strengthen our resolve to defeat the capitalists` intentions to undermine our democracy and freedom and more so our rights as enshrined in the constitution.
Issued by the SACP
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802