EFF statement on the exorbitant R70 billion subsidy to private healthcare by government

15 July 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the recent revelation by the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, that the government is subsidising private medical healthcare with a staggering R70 billion. This revelation highlights the gross misallocation of public funds in a country where public healthcare is in a state of crisis.

It is an affront to our people that while the wealthy benefit from this exorbitant subsidy, our public hospitals are nothing short of inhumane death traps. New-borns are being kept in boxes due to a lack of incubators, entire provinces share a single MRI machine, and there are rampant shortages of essential medical supplies such as needles.

This R70 billion subsidy is a stark indicator of the systemic inequality perpetuated by the racist ANC-DA government. Those with access to medical aid and private healthcare, who already enjoy superior medical services, are being further advantaged at the expense of the majority who rely on the dilapidated public healthcare system.

This is an egregious injustice that cannot be tolerated.

Moreover, the medical aid schemes themselves are predatory and maximise on the fears of the death trap that is the public health system. Medical aid schemes steal from their clients, who often find their medical aid funds exhausted before the year ends, leaving them without necessary coverage. Additionally, these funds do not allow unused funds to be carried over to the new year. These schemes clearly do not provide value for money, and are exploitative because Government has failed to adequately regulate them to protect its citizens from capitalist vultures.

The mismanagement of public funds must end, and the EFF calls for the reallocation of the R70 billion subsidy to directly benefit the public healthcare sector. Funds must be redirected towards equipping hospitals with essential medical supplies, increasing the number of healthcare professionals, and ensuring that no one in South Africa is left to die because of the lack of adequate medical services.

The EFF, for 11 years, has aggressively advocated for quality universal healthcare care. In 2018 we declared it "The Year of Public Healthcare" where our members visited every public clinic and hospital across the country intervening on behalf of the sick to get adequate treatment.

Our generational mission means that even as we celebrate our 11 years on 27 July 2024 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, the pursuit for quality universal healthcare continues until it is realised.

Issued by Leigh-Ann Mathys, National Spokesperson, EFF, 15 July 2024