Parliament, Thursday, 29 September 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Health has expressed its concern over long wait patients face for elective surgery, due to the huge backlog. The Portfolio Committee on Health was briefed by the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, on the status of Covid-19 and vaccines, update on the health regulations, monkeypox and surgery backlogs.
Responding to the presentation, committee members said they found it disturbing and embarrassing that patients have to wait up to seven years for orthopaedic surgery and two years for oncology-related surgery. The committee said it is unacceptable for cancer patients to wait that long, as this amounts to a death sentence for patients. Some members of the committee were of the view that this contravenes Section 27 of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Committee Chairperson Dr Kenneth Jacobs said the department must urgently devise strategies to address the surgery backlogs.
On Covid-19 vaccines, Dr Nicholas Crisp, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, said Janssen has been seeking to close out their advance purchase agreement with the department by invoicing for the advance payment on the balance of the undelivered 11.4 million vaccine doses. The department initially requested deferral of the payment for the balance of the 11.4 million doses until demand for Johnson & Johnson vaccinations increased.
The department is currently in the process of reviewing all plausible options to mitigate the delivery of the balance of the vaccine doses. Dr Jacobs commended the department for seeking ways to mitigate the loss, thereby saving the state money. “We understand that the times during the negotiations were quite challenging as a result of the global market and the demands that were placed on governments in terms of the procurement of the vaccines”, said Dr Jacobs.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR KENNETH JACOBS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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