In an effort to deal with the deteriorating state of public health care facilities government has prioritised the upgrade and maintenance of ageing health infrastructure.

Speaking at a two-day Presidential Health Summit held in Boksburg recently Deputy President David Mabuza said that within the context of fiscal constraints, provinces will be expected to prioritise their financial resource allocations in a manner that ensures that the delivery of health care is not compromised.

“This summit pointed out that we need to develop a sustainable financing model for our health system. We will commence with this task immediately. National Treasury will be entrusted with this task to ensure that this model is finalised within a short space of time, Mabuza explained.

Paving the way for NHI

“As we lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the NHI, government will prioritise the upgrading and maintenance of health infrastructure to deal with the challenges of ageing and dilapidated infrastructure,” he added.

Mabuza said government will support the implementation of the health facility management plan to ensure that hospitals and clinics are upgraded and maintained.

He highlighted to delegates that government was grappling with a struggling health system that it inherited from a government that denied the majority of citizens basic services.

Quality healthcare for all

“In recasting our health system, we are helping to reshape our society, understanding that we are engaged in a far broader struggle for the fundamental transformation of our economy and our country.

“We approach our task understanding that health is not merely a function of hospitals that are properly staffed, clinics that are well equipped, health professionals that are effectively trained, and medicines that are available and affordable.”

He commended the summit for setting the country on a new path towards the provision of quality health care for all.