Parliament, Friday 18 August 2017 – The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Ms Thandi Modise is leading a programme of Taking Parliament to the People that will focus on health care challenges facing the people of Free State from 21 to 25 August 2017.

The aim of this biannual programme, launched by the NCOP in 2002, is to conduct oversight and public hearings in the most under served and rural areas of various provinces. The theme for this year is: “Celebrating 20 Years of the Constitution and the NCOP - Deepening Parliamentary Oversight for quality services to our people.”

Through the programme, the NCOP fulfils its mandate of ensuring that provincial and local issues are mainstreamed in the national development dialogue aimed at accelerating the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The visit will also assess progress made in preparing various health care service centres for the rollout of the National Health Insurance (NHI) that is aimed at closing gaps between the rich and the poor or uninsured citizens in respect to access to quality health care services.

During the weeklong programme, NCOP delegates will visit hospitals and clinics in Mangaung and surrounding municipalities to give an opportunity to residents to engage face-to-face with their elected public representatives on service delivery related issues affecting them. Since its introduction the Programme of Taking Parliament to the People has continued to grow from strength to strength, making a difference to the affected communities by among others progressively tracking the execution of local municipality, provincial and national government agencies undertakings made during the visits.

The Fifth democratic Parliament is giving expression and meaning to its vision: “An activist and responsive people’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures enduring equality in our society.”

Click here to view the full programme for all activities for the five days.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES

Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930