HAITU calls on Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi to speedily implement the NHI
3 July 2024
The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU) welcomes the appointment of Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi as the new minister of Health in the Government of National Unity. Dr. Motsoaledi is no stranger to the health portfolio and when he was minister, conditions in public hospitals and clinics, were far better than they are now.
Dr. Motsoaledi has a reputation for being hands on when it comes to solving the problems in the department, and we remember him for being a person who engages all labour unions in health, not just those affiliated to COSATU.
The minister was instrumental in the architect of the NHI Bill and we look forward to the roll out of NHI in all facilities, as soon as possible. The minister has an opportunity to cement his legacy as a champion of healthcare rights and equal access for all, if he prioritizes this.
It is HAITU’s position that in order for the NHI to succeed, we must abolish the role of the private sector so that all healthcare resources are used for the benefit of us all. We want an end to the two tier health system which ensures that all the best hospitals and clinics are used by a handful of people who can afford medical aid.
We note that in the past, Dr. Motsoaledi has championed the interests of ordinary people, when he confronted global pharmaceutical companies on their exorbitant costs for access to life saving ARV treatment for HIV positive patients. We also remember him as the minister who worked tirelessly to ensure that hospitals had enough resources in order to adequately serve the community. He set the example for other MP’s by using public healthcare facilities, and not relying on private hospitals for his own personal treatment. That simple act ensured that the standard of healthcare improved because he kept hospital management on their toes, and they delivered. By doing so, it ensured that the quality of service improved. We call on him, and his deputies, to continue this practice as they assume their new role in the ministry.
It was not all plain sailing though, as the minister also made some mistakes. In the past he referred nurses “Devils in white” during a Nurse’s day commemoration in Limpopo, which he subsequently apologised for. We hope that such utterances will never again emanate from the mouths of ministers and other leaders in the health care sector.
HAITU is calling on Dr. Motsoaledi to work with us to end austerity in healthcare so that we can have more state funding, in order to improve service delivery, and ensure that the poorest of the poor are treated with dignity and care.
We look forward to working with him and call on him to continue to engage all stakeholders, especially organised labour in his new role.
Issued by Lerato Mthunzi, HAITU General Secretary, 3 July 2024
