Question NW3670 to the Minister of Health
15 November 2023 - NW3670
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has taken any steps to assist the National Health Laboratory Service to recover the more than R1,2 billion owed to it by provincial departments of health; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Health has continuously encouraged the provincial DoH’s to pay the NHLS for all services rendered and continue to support the NHLS in this matter and the debt is treated as a priority.
The NHLS CEO has advised that she is in continuous engagement with the provincial Heads of Department (HODs) to follow up on the outstanding debt and to ensure that all payments owed are received in full and timeously. Given the declines in provincial health budgets the debt has unfortunately been increasing. The NHLS is fortunately in a significant positive financial status. The National Department of Health is kept up to date and informed of the debt owed by the provincial Departments of Health.
END.