The quest for quality and affordable healthcare for all has moved closer with the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact.

This is according to the Acting Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, who addressed media on Thursday on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Last month, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Acting President, presided over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact, an initiative established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019.

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The health compact is a framework for cooperation between critical sectors and stakeholders to strengthen the health system. It monitors and evaluates preparations for the implementation of 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 th
e national health system.

‘It seeks to strengthen the health system and monitors and evaluates preparations for implementing the NHI,’ Ramokgopa said.

The health compact also seeks to bolster the development of human resources, while improving access to medicine, vaccines and health products, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring private sector engagement.

The Acting President told the delegates during the signing ceremony 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 said.

Meanwhile, Ramokgopa said Cabinet was appalled that some unscrupulous and greedy lawyers and advocates have attempted to defraud billions of rands from the State through fraudulent and irregular medico-legal claims.

READ | Medico-legal claims a feeding trough for unscrupulous legal practitioners

‘These wrongdoings were uncove
red in a far-reaching investigation by the SIU [Special Investigating Unit] into alleged fraudulent medico-legal claims against the State since 2017.’

According to the Minister, the ongoing investigation revealed that some legal practitioners are helped by health practitioners working for the State to target the department.

In addition, she said matters completed by the SIU have resulted in at least R3 billion in savings for various provincial health departments.

Source: South African Government News Agency