Pretoria - Government says every South African has a democratic right to freedom of choice, which also includes the choice of going either to a public or private healthcare facility.
Reacting to calls that ministers should use public healthcare facilities, Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO, Phumla Williams, said irrespective of the office they hold, every South African is entitled to receive healthcare at a facility of their choice.
“This does not make ministers or public servants unpatriotic; it simply means that they are enjoying the rewards of being citizens in a democratic country,” said Williams.
She said government's priority was to improve the health status of the entire population and contribute to the vision of a long and healthy life for all South Africans.
Referring to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), which she said has made great strides in key areas, Williams said it was one of government’s plans to revolutionise the public health sector.
To accomplish this vision, government has identified strategic outputs to strengthen the effectiveness of the health system.
These include management reforms; hospital reimbursement reforms; establishment of the Office for Health Standards Compliance; undertaking of the national health facility audit; quality improvement and certification, and strengthening of district health authorities.
“We urge South Africans to focus and contribute to the implementation of the plans at hand. We should all work together to improve the system so that we can all continue to enjoy the fruits of a democratic and free country,” said Williams. – SAnews.gov.za
