South Africa’s health system is too essential to development to be weakened by mismanagement, funding crises, and other problems.

‘We expect all stakeholders to bring solutions and work with the Departments of Health and Science and Innovation to implement them,’ said Acting President Paul Mashatile on Thursday.

The Acting President was speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where he presided over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact, an initiative established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019.

The health compact is a framework for cooperation between critical sectors and stakeholders to strengthen the health system and monitors and evaluates preparations for implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI).

The stakeholders include government, business, labour, civil society, health professionals, unions, service users, statutory councils, academia, and researchers to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions to challenges in the national health system.

Its pillars range fro
m the development of human resources, improving access to medicine, vaccines and health products, upgrading infrastructure and private sector engagement.

It also zooms in on quality healthcare, public sector financial management improvements, governance and leadership, community engagements, and information systems to pandemic preparedness.

The Acting President told delegates present that implementation was the foremost priority of the country’s seventh administration.

‘Effective policy implementation means we can take the right actions and follow through with the plans, leading to successful outcomes. I have full confidence that implementation is the priority of all of us gathered here today.

‘On behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, it is my privilege to sign the second Presidential Health Compact today.’

He said he believed that a healthy nation is more economically productive and prosperous.

‘A healthy population enjoys higher life expectancy, better quality of life and overall wellbeing. As a result
, providing quality healthcare is of the utmost importance to all of us,’ he added.

Universal healthcare coverage

He said Africa is committed to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ‘ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages’.

‘This is a bold commitment to achieve universal health coverage. It is a commitment to provide access to affordable medicines and vaccines for all. If our nation’s health is truly to be our nation’s wealth, we must fix our healthcare system.’

He said fixing the healthcare system will effectively protect the population against public health emergencies, such as HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, or Mpox.

The Acting President also outlined challenges that prevent government from providing decent and quality healthcare to all South Africans.

Lack of funding and collaboration

He also touched on healthcare funding challenges due to budget cuts and a constrained fiscal environment, compounded by inefficiencies, mismanagement and corruption in
resource allocation.

However, the Acting President said budgeting in the health sector is steadily improving to ensure a more equitable allocation of resources.

‘Less money is being lost to litigation. This is thanks to the hard work of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, which continues to expedite prosecutions and recover stolen funds.’

With greater collaboration, he said the resources and capabilities of both the public and private sectors can be brought to bear to serve those who need healthcare most.

However, some progress has been made as well with 149 new primary healthcare facilities being completed by November 2023.

In addition, 30 new hospitals are either opened or under construction.

The Acting President also took the time to applaud the private sector for the crucial role it plays in strengthening health systems.

‘Our experience with COVID-19 showed how we could deepen public-private partnerships. With greater collaboration, the resources and capabilities of both the public and private
sectors can be brought to bear to serve those who need healthcare most,’ he added.

Source: South African Government News Agency