Parliament, Friday, 8 May 2026 – The Select Committee on Social Services has emphasised the urgent need for strengthened public healthcare systems, improved infrastructure, and equitable resource allocation as key priorities in advancing universal health coverage.
The committee received a briefing from the Department of Health on its annual performance plan (APP), Budget Vote for the 2026/27 financial year. The department which was led by its Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, also briefed the committee on developments regarding the Hantavirus.
The committee noted that the department’s APP is aligned with the National Development Plan 2030, the Medium-Term Development Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on improving life expectancy, reducing maternal and child mortality, strengthening primary healthcare, addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, and advancing the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).
Members of the committee also noted the department’s budget framework for the 2026/27 financial year, including the central role of conditional grants to provinces in supporting service delivery. While acknowledging the department’s efforts to improve financial management, including monitoring of conditional grants and compliance mechanisms, the committee raised concerns over the adequacy of resources, infrastructure backlogs, and the equitable distribution of funding across provinces.
During engagement with the department on the Hantavirus, the committee heard more on the virus including its origins, transmission patterns and the measures being implemented by the department. Members were informed that the virus is not endemic to Africa. They also heard that health authorities including the National Institute for Communicable Diseases are actively conducting surveillance.
Members raised a number of oversight matters relating to the healthcare system. These included concerns over the condition of public health infrastructure, the availability and maintenance of medical equipment, overcrowding in clinics and hospitals, the performance of primary healthcare services, and the effectiveness of community health worker programmes.
Members also emphasised the need to strengthen emergency medical services, improve data and digital health systems, and ensure accountability in the use of public funds. They highlighted the importance of accelerating efforts to address HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other public health priorities, and called for improved monitoring and reporting on service delivery across provinces.
The committee reiterated its support for the principle of universal health coverage and emphasised the need to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation of the health system. Members stressed that improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas, remains critical. They requested that the department provides a comprehensive report on the state of emergency medical services across the country to support its ongoing oversight work.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Desery Fienies, said the committee remains committed to ensuring that the health system delivers equitable, accessible and quality services to all South Africans. She noted that while progress has been made, there is more to be done to address persistent challenges in infrastructure, service delivery and in the allocation of resources.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES, MS DESERY FIENIES
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