National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill: Committee Report; AMA Treaty Report (with Deputy Minister present)

Meeting report

The Chairperson made brief opening remarks and welcomed all present in the meeting.

Cholera Outbreak

Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Deputy Minister of Health, made brief opening remarks. He said Acting Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, asked to be accompanied by the WHO to Hammanskraal and the Jubilee Hospital. He said most cases came from an area called Kanana. We want to catch it early and hydrate people as quickly as possible for triage at the hospital. The services of a gastroenterologist have been requested and this doctor will be based at Jubilee Hospital for a week and will be coming from Steve Biko Academic Hospital to support it with all its needs. There has been a request to prioritise specimens coming from Jubilee Hospital. The Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla was landing from Geneva in the morning and a meeting will be held following which the Committee would be given an update on Monday 29 May 2023.

The Chairperson thanked Deputy Minister Dhlomo and said the Committee was thankful that the Department was moving quickly. Having a field hospital was probably one of the best ideas for managing cholera. The Committee was certain the NHLS will offer support in providing specimens forwarded to it and hoped that good work will continue to be done.

The Chairperson took the Committee through the meeting rules.

Discussion

Ms N Chirwa (EFF) said she would get disconnected from the meeting due to load shedding and said the Chairperson should note the EFF’s rejection of the points on the NHI Bill.

Mr P Van Staden (FF+) asked what the involvement of local government and Doctors without Borders was.

Deputy Minister Dhlomo said Doctors without Borders came into the space at Jubilee Hospital, but qualifications need to be checked with the HPCSA. Once this has been attended to, the Department will accept their support going forward. Minister Mchunu had a meeting with the leadership of the City of Tshwane as they are supporting each other as the water authority.

Ms A Gela (ANC) welcomed the Deputy Minister’s comments and said the Committee was supporting him in his work. She said the Committee would consider the AMA Treaty report now for the second time and it had been supported by Dr Thembekwayo when it was presented the first time. She was unsure about this.

Mr N Xaba (ANC) said he also welcomed the Deputy Minister’s comments.

Committee Report on NHI Bill

The Chairperson took the Committee through the report.

Mr Xaba said the report was explicit and proposed adopting the report.

Ms M Clarke (DA) said the report reflected all discussions, but the DA did not support the Bill.

Ms Gela said the report was a true reflection and supported Mr Xaba’s proposal.

Ms X Havard (ANC) said she supported the adoption of the report as presented.

Mr Van Staden said he concurred with Ms Clarke and the FF+ was rejecting the Bill in its entirety.

Dr J Nothnagel (ANC) concurred with the report and supported its adoption.

The Chairperson said he supported the report and thanked Members for raising their opinions on the report.

The Chairperson said the report was adopted.

Read: ATC230526: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health on the National Health Insurance Bill [B11 – 2019] (National Assembly – sec 76)], dated 26 May 2023

Committee Report on AMA Treaty

The Chairperson tabled the report for consideration.

Ms E Wilson (DA) said the DA had raised a lot of concerns about the Treaty, particularly related to costs and who would be responsible for certain things. A response was not received as yet. She added the DA would reserve its rights until it has presented to its Caucus.

Mr Xaba said the ANC supported the report.

Ms Gela said the ANC supported the report and was looking forward to this.

Ms Harvard supported the report.

Mr Van Staden said the FF+ reserved its rights on the report and would consult its caucus.

Dr S Thembekwayo (EFF) said the EFF supported the report.

Dr Nothnagel said the ANC reported the report.

The Chairperson said the report was adopted.

Read: ATC230526: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health on the Ratification of the Treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA), dated 26 May 2024

Consideration of Minutes

Minutes 10 May 2023

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

Minutes 12 May 2023

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

Minutes 12 May 2023

The minutes of 15 May 2023 would be deferred for adoption in the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.