Parliament, Friday, 6 December 2024 - The Portfolio Committee on Health welcomed the reports it considered on Wednesday that included its North West oversight visit, and the Auditor-General’s (AG’s) report on national and provincial audit outcomes for the 2022/23 financial year.
The purpose of the North West oversight visit was to assess the state of healthcare services to the province especially forensic pathology services, which are essential for both justice and public health.
The findings from the North West oversight visit exposed several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, staff shortages, drug stockouts, Emergency Medical Services and some inefficiencies in service delivery. The committee noted that many facilities were struggling to meet the growing demands of their communities, particularly in light of the high prevalence of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
The committee commended some of the health facilities visited for excellent health service provision in spite of the prevailing challenges. Furthermore, it applauded the province for the outstanding maternal outcomes, as many of the facilities visited did not record any maternal deaths in two years.
The AG’s report provided significant insights that confirmed the committee's observations. It emphasised the need for enhanced oversight within the health sector, highlighting that many departments and entities continue to maintain unqualified audit outcomes, fostering a concerning culture of complacency. The report called for urgent interventions to transform these institutions and ensure they are held accountable for their performance.
Committee Chairperson Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said: “The Auditor-General has made a clarion call for increased accountability and oversight by both Members of Parliament and Members of the Provincial Legislatures. It is crucial that we take these findings seriously and work collaboratively to address the issues identified."
He added: "Our role as the committee is to work towards actionable solutions that will enhance the quality of health services for our communities."
The report featured the deficiencies within forensic pathology services. Dr Dhlomo stressed the importance of these services, stating that effective and efficient pathology services are not only vital for legal processes but also for public health monitoring and intervention strategies. “We must prioritise improvements in this area to meet the needs of our communities."
The committee also highlighted the importance of sharing best practices. Dr Dhlomo said: “We must learn from those departments that have achieved clean audit outcomes. By inviting them to share their strategies, we can foster an environment of accountability and excellence in service delivery."
The committee adopted the North West oversight visit report reinforcing its commitment to transparency and accountability. The committee also reviewed the findings and recommendations from the AG’s report, committing to take necessary actions to address the highlighted issues. This includes calling on relevant departments to develop improvement plans and timelines for implementing the recommendations provided.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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