Premier Maape’s Thailand medical treatment trip a vote of no confidence in the local public health system

23 January 2024

The DA notes that North West Premier, Bushy Maape, will be seeking medical treatment in Thailand. While we wish Premier Maape a speedy recovery and good health, it is concerning that he would seek medical treatment abroad instead of accessing medical facilities in the province.

We have long indicated that public hospitals in the province are in a bad state, suffering chronic medicine, equipment, and staff shortages. The fact that Premier Maape would rather seek treatment abroad indicates his vote of no confidence in the provincial public health system he presides over.

While tens of millions of South Africans are unable to access quality public healthcare it has now become an established trend for ANC politicians in office to seek medical treatment abroad.

Millions of South Africans struggle to access quality medical treatment in ANC-managed public hospitals and does not have the means, like Premier Maape, to jump on a taxpayer funded medical tourism jaunt to exotic locations.

This is but a preview of the disaster that will unfold should the ANC continue to push for the implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme, which will only increase inequality in accessing medical treatment for everyone.

The ANC in government says that it delivers quality public healthcare to all, but the reality is, it does not, and Premier Maape knows it, which is why he will be in Thailand, while many patients in public facilities struggle to receive the treatment they deserve.

Residents should take note of this brazen disregard for their medical wellbeing and register to vote DA in this year’s elections because unlike the ANC, where the DA governs in the Western Cape, we deliver quality public healthcare to all who need it on par with the services offered in private sector.

Issued by Freddy Sonakile, DA Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature, 23 January 2024