NEHAWU welcomes the launch of the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum
2 October 2019
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] welcomes the health sector anti-corruption forum that was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday in Pretoria. The purpose of the forum is to fight fraud and corruption in the health sector.
As NEHAWU, we hold a strong view that the launch of the forum is long overdue and will play a critical role in uprooting the scourge of corruption that is currently engulfing the health sector. The national union agrees with the President that corruption in the healthcare sector is not a victimless crime as it affects the most vulnerable members of our society who are denied access to quality healthcare by corrupt elements who are hell-bent on lining their pockets while crippling the healthcare sector.
The launch of this forum is more welcomed as we are anticipating the full implementation of the National Health Insurance which will guarantee universal access for all regardless of their ability to pay. The forum must allay fears of those who believe that the NHI will not succeed because of corruption.
NEHAWU as a union organising in the health sector has been at the forefront of exposing corruption especially in supply management, procurement, servicing of medical equipment, human resources and corrupt activities associated with outsourcing. We hope the forum will hit the ground running in dealing with all cases of tender irregularities, bribery and fraudulent activities.