Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1576 to 1600
2010-06-09
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO: 1576
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 May 2010
QUESTION PAPER NO: 14
DATE OF REPLY: 3 June 2010
Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:
Whether his department will be adopting the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting digital television standard for the purposes of digital migration; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the envisaged date on which the standard will be adopted and (b) what will be the cost of the migration to DVB-T?
NW1838E
REPLY:
(a) The department of communication is in the process of evaluating the available standards so that the preferred one will fulfil the needs of the South African people and economic consideration. The member is aware that South Africa belongs to a regional block, SADC, where the ideal standards are also being evaluated for the region. Once the regional position is made, it will be communicated for possible adoption in individual countries.
(b) More clarity is sought on the question.
QUESTION NUMBER: 1578
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 21 MAY 2010
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 JUNE 2010
MRS P C DUNCAN DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFOMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:
Whether eradicating substance abuse amongst the youth is a key area of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA); if not, why not; if so, (a) why is it not included in the strategic plan and (b) how does the NYDA plan to deal with this issue?
NW1840E
REPLY:
Section 3(f) of the NYDA act of 2008, and the National Youth Policy, section (12.6.3), highlights the importance of programmatic interventions for young people aimed at eradicating substance abuse. As such, the eradication of substance abuse among the youth is a key focus area for the NYDA. In the current financial year the NYDA does not have any specific programme, however, this area will be one of the key focus areas as the part of the development of the Integrated youth development strategy (IYDS). The IYDS will be developed and completed in the current financial year, 2010-2011.
QUESTION NUMBER 1579
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14 OF 2010
Date reply submitted: 13 August 2010
1579. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister Women, Children and People with Disabilities:
(1) Whether any of the 528 education and information initiatives undertaken by the Commission on Gender Equality were in rural communities; if not, why not; if so, how many in each province and (b) what are the relevant details in each case;
(2) Whether an assessment was made on the impact of the initiatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1841E
REPLY
(1) The total number of education and information conducted across the nine Provinces is 146 (of a total of 243) as a projected figure for the financial year 2008/2009. 60.01% of the projected number of activities were initiated and conducted. The interventions were conducted in the district municipalities, which cover both the urban and rural areas, although the majority of the activities occurred in urban and peri-urban areas. A total number of 42 municipalities and districts were targeted.
Below is a Province by Province account of the municipal districts and areas where information initiatives were conducted:
Eastern Cape: Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay, East London, Chris Hani District, Uitenhage;
Free State: Xhariep District, Lejweleputswa District, Thabo Mofutsanyane, Fezile Dabi, Mangaung District, Botshabelo;
Gauteng: Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg Metro, Tshwane Metro;
KwaZulu - Natal: Ndwedwe, Jozini District, Ethekwini, Umkhanyakude District,
Unthungula, Zululand, Manyiyensi;
Limpopo: Vhembe district;
Mpumalanga: Nkangala District, Gert Sibande, Ehlanzeni District;
Northern Cape: Namkwa District, Kgalagadi District, Frans Baard District, Siyanda District, Jan Kemp District, Upington region, Kimberley;
North West: Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Dr Ruth Segotsi, Ratlou Local Municipality, Maquassie Hills Local Municipality, Ramotshere Moila District, Christiana; and
Western Cape: Overberg District, Vredenburg, Cape Town, Khayelitsha, Heideveld.
(2) The Commission uses evaluation forms after each intervention, to assess whether the objectives for that particular intervention, have been met. Monthly and quarterly reports are submitted where the Education Officers and Provincial Coordinator report on the activities conducted, and where gender related trends and strands are identified and fed into the interventions for the following year.
QUESTION NO 1580
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14- 2010)
Date reply submitted : 1 June 2010
1580. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
How many of the investigations with regard to the 8186 persons who were arrested for commercial crime and the arrests of 28 of the 50 most wanted criminals were commenced by the Directorate (a) of Special Operations (Scorpions) and (b) for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks)?
NW1842E
REPLY:
(1) The 122 arrests for Commercial Crime are cases initiated by the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO).
(2) All the other cases for Commercial Crime and the arrests of the 28 of the 50 most wanted criminals were initiated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
QUESTION NO 1581
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14- 2010)
Date reply submitted: 14 June 2010
1581. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) (a) How many South African Police Service (SAPS) members are not in possession of a valid driving licence in each province and (b) what is the rank of each member;
(2) whether there is any deadline in place by which these members are required to obtain a driving licence; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1843E
REPLY:
(1)(a) The SAPS is in a process of validating the driving licences of all members against E-Natis to prevent and eliminate any corrupt practices. The exact number of members without valid drivers licences will be available once the validation process has been concluded.
(1)(b) The ranks of members without valid driving licences will only be available once the validation process with E-Natis has been concluded.
(2) The SAPS has embarked on an in-service K53 training program, and since 2008 a total of 2116 members without valid driving licences have been trained and obtained their driving licences. Once the validation process of the driving licences has been completed, training will be scheduled for all members identified who do not have valid driving licences.
I have instructed the National Commissioner, General Cele to, once the validation process is completed, investigate and report back to me on what exactly the problems are regarding the SAPS members not fulfilling all requirements with regard to driving licenses.
QUESTION NO 1582
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14- 2010)
Date reply submitted : 1 June 2010
1582. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) (a) How many (i) applications for re-enlistment have been received since 17 January 2010 from former members of the SA Police Services and (ii) of those who applied have been accepted into service and (b) what is the breakdown in terms of (i) province, (ii) race and (iii) age group;
(2) whether any applicants have not yet received any reply since their application was received; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many have not received any reply, (b) what are the reasons for this and (c) what actions should applicants who have not yet received replies take;
(3) whether any applicant who submitted his or her application on time but who has not yet received any acknowledgement of receipt of the application will still be considered for re-enlistment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1844E
REPLY:
(1)(a)(i) 4570
(1)(a)(ii) Following the advertisement in the media on 17 January 2010 no approvals have been granted yet as the administrative process of evaluating the applications is not yet concluded.
(1)(b) The information will only be available after the conclusion of the evaluation process.
(2)(a) No. Applicants were informed that their applications were receiving attention and are still under consideration.
(2)(b) The administrative process is not yet concluded and applicants will only receive replies once it is concluded.
(2)(c) The South African Police Service will only consider the re-enlistments of applicants who complied with all the requirements and with due consideration of existing vacancies. Therefore, not all former members who applied will be re-enlisted.
(3) Yes, once administrative procedures are concluded.
QUESTION NO 1583
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14- 2010)
Date reply submitted : 1 June 2010
1583. Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether there have been any thefts of narcotics at any forensic science laboratory since 2005; if so, (a) at which laboratory and (b) what was the total value of the stolen goods in each case;
(2) whether an investigation was conducted in each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any perpetrators have been tried and sentenced; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether any additional security measures have been put in place to prevent further theft; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1845E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Silverton Forensic Science Laboratory.
(1) (b) The total value is unknown.
(2) A formal investigation is still in progress by the DPCI. Once the case is finalised the department will comment on the matter.
(3) No perpetrators have been tried or sentenced yet as the matter is still being investigated.
(4) (a) Yes
· Only specific members are allowed to collect the exhibits from Case Reception.
· Members and supervisors were addressed on the seriousness of exhibit security.
· Only a limited number of personnel have authority to enter exhibit safes and anyone who enters an exhibit safe must be accompanied, even if authorised.
· All safe locks have been replaced.
· We have increased the frequency of the destruction of drugs no longer required for evidence.
· The Exhibit Management system has been implemented at the Chemistry section.
· In February 2010 there was a Captain appointed specifically for drug Exhibit control at the Chemistry section.
QUESTION NUMBER 1585
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 14)
1585. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether any exploration rights, in particular for gas, have been granted off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline; if not, why not; if so, (a) which companies have been granted rights and (b) what areas have each of these companies been given rights to;
Reply
No exploration right has been granted over the said area. The application received from Silver Wave Energy Pte Ltd is still being considered.
(2) whether these companies will be obliged to perform environmental impact studies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
Reply
All companies applying for an exploration right or production right in respect of gas are obliged to perform environmental impact studies in terms of section 39 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources development Act, 2002 ( Act No. 28 of 2002)
(3) whether a certain company (name furnished) has applied for exploration rights off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline; if so,
Reply
Petroleum Agency SA (The Agency) did receive an application for an exploration right over the said area from Silver Wave Energy Pte Ltd, a company based in Singapore.
(4) whether this company has any ties to the Burmese military junta; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what is the Government's position in this regard;
Reply
The Agency is not ware of any links between this company and Burmese or any other military junta.
(5) whether any consideration has been given to the impact such rights may have on (a) sea life, (b) migration patterns and (c) fishing activities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
Currently the Agency is awaiting the Environmental Management Programme from Silver Wave Energy Pte Ltd which must among other things satisfy the requirements of section 39(3)(a) – (b) and 39(3)(d) i.e:
· baseline assessment that should amongst other things include the identification and assessment of biophysical oceanography which include sea life i.e. plankton, benthic communities, invertebrates, fish, turtles, seabirds, marine mammals and their migratory patterns and colonies. This is done in order to determine areas and seasons to be avoided when undertaking drilling and seismic survey operations.
· Furthermore, human utilization of the exploration area is assessed and this usually includes commercial and subsistence fisheries, prospecting and mining of other minerals, shipping, recreational use, etc., and impacts associated with such identified activities.
Impacts that could impact considerably on fishing, sealife and other human use activities are given consideration, hence they are identified, assessed/evaluated and appropriate mitigation measures recommended, in the assessment of the Environmental Management
QUESTION 1586
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14 NW1848E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 May 2010
Mr J Se!fe (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether she will ensure that all exploration rights granted off the coastline will be conditional on extensive environmental impact studies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Mr J Selfe (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARUAMENT HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
1586. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
Should the activity trigger a listed activity in terms of the Regulations, 2006, promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998 as amended, the applicant would be required to apply for an environmental authorisation (the mandate of the Department of Environmental Affairs). The environmental authorisation would be subject to an environmental impact assessment, based on which authorisation for the activity will be granted or refused. Should any applicant for an exploration right commence with a listed activity prior to obtaining authorisation, such commencement would be deemed unlawful.
In addition, the Department of Environmental Affairs is required to comment in the environmental management regime for exploration and mining regulated through the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) by the Department of Mineral Resources. Their role in this case is to comment only and decision-making on process to follow resides with the Department of Mineral Resources.
QUESTION NO. 1589
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
1589. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(a) On what basis does each province determine the financial allocations to each (i) hospital, (ii) clinic and (iii) district in the province and (b) what was the allocation to each (i) hospital, (ii) clinic and (iii) district (aa) in the (aaa) 2007-08, (bbb) 2008-09 and (ccc) 2009-10 financial year and (bb) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW1851E
REPLY:
This information has been requested from Provinces and for now the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Health has responded. Information from the remaining Provinces will be forwarded once received.
NORTHERN CAPE
NAMAQUALAND:
The district request finance according to the operational plan, which is developed from the strategic objectives of the 10 point plan from National Department of Health. Also as we do the allocations we have take into consideration the previous year expenditure. Budget and allocations were done centrally. No control over budget allocations and expenditure.
For 07/08 and 08/09
An amount was allocated that could be split between the facilities as the district saw fit; total allocation for district was lower than the need.
For 09/10
Provincial allocation as they saw fit to the facilities. This was not in line with identified
district needs
For 10/11
For 2010-2011 a zero base budgeting approach was followed. The facilities/ district gave inputs to the Provincial office. An allocation was then done by the Province for clinics, hospitals, CHC's and District Management. This was fixed for these divisions and not always in line with the actual needs (in the different divisions).
PIXLEY-KA-SEME:
For 07/08 and 08/09
An amount was allocated that could be split between the facilities as the district saw fit; total allocation for district was lower than the need.
For 09/10
Provincial allocation as they saw fit to the facilities. This was not in line with identified
district needs
For 10/11
For 2010-2011 a zero base budgeting approach was followed. The facilities/ district gave inputs to the Provincial office. An allocation was then done by the Province for clinics, hospitals, CHC's and District Management. This was fixed for these divisions and not always in line with the actual needs (in the different divisions).
| Facility | ||||
| 07-08 | 08-09 | 09-10 | Annual:10-11(provisionally) | |
| B.J. Kempen CHC | 3,381,000 | 5,870,500 | 4,756,000 | 4,224,000 |
| Bill Pickard Hosp. | 5,938,700 | 7,097,700 | 13,922,000 | 15,915,000 |
| L.Adams clinic | 626,700 | 1,087,800 | 1,797,000 | 1,724,000 |
| Breipaal clinic | 857,500 | 1,463,400 | 2,162,000 | 2,220,000 |
| Britstown clinic | 1,082,500 | 1,135,000 | 1,311,000 | 1,492,000 |
| Campbell clinic | 300,300 | 364,300 | 800,000 | 597,000 |
| Carnarvon CHC | 4,423,900 | 5,535,000 | 4,281,000 | 4,059,000 |
| Carnarvon clinic | 827,100 | 1,342,200 | 1,382,000 | 1,880,000 |
| Central Karoo hospital | 17,069,650 | 23,167,900 | 31,555,000 | 37,839,000 |
| Manne Dipico hospital | 7,444,700 | 10,099,000 | 15,229,000 | 20,028,000 |
| De Aar clinic | 1,590,800 | 1,754,100 | 2,111,000 | 2,851,000 |
| De AarTown cliinic | 839,400 | 1,436,200 | 1,358,000 | 1,753,000 |
| Douglas Town clinic | 720,800 | 1,207,354 | Closed | Closed |
| Fritz Visser CHC | 4,737,300 | 6,703,900 | 4,672,000 | 3,656,000 |
| Griekwastad CHC | 3,158,800 | 5,051,600 | 4,574,000 | 4,098,000 |
| Hanover clinic | 1,002,300 | 973,400 | 1,291,000 | 1798,000 |
| Hester Malan Hospital | 5,975,600 | 7,590,600 | 15,348,000 | 16,429,000 |
| Hopetown clinic | 1,519,500 | 1,605,200 | 1,878,000 | 2,376,000 |
| Pixley Ka Seme District management | 3,655,050 | 2,882,100 | 5,216,000 | 8,775,000 |
| Keurtjieskloof clinic | 215,120 | 300,000 | - | 559,000 |
| Kuyasa clinic | 2,258,400 | 1,737,000 | 2,053,000 | 1,937,000 |
| Lowryville clinic | 843,700 | 1,084,000 | 1,239,000 | 1,296,000 |
| Loxton clinic | 461,100 | 202,300 | 319,000 | 545,000 |
| Marydale clinic | 938,900 | 1,152,500 | 1,108,000 | 1,485,000 |
| Montana clinic | 1,090,600 | 1,486,100 | 1,202,000 | 1,803,000 |
| Niekerkshoop clinic | 436,400 | 480,600 | 621,000 | 594,000 |
| K.Edward Twani Clinic | 949,100 | 1,147,300 | 1,037,000 | 2,312,000 |
| Norvalspont clinic | 362,400 | 380,800 | 468,000 | 624,000 |
| Eurekaville clinic | 1,005,600 | 1,074,500 | 1,015,000 | 1,172,000 |
| Nanqo Simon Zono | - | - | 1,097,000 | 1,426,000 |
| Petrusville clinic | 860,480 | 1,241,300 | 1,458,000 | 2,011,000 |
| Masibambani clinic | 908,100 | 1,717,400 | 1,684,000 | 1,692,000 |
| Prieska clinic | 2,091,800 | 1,712,800 | 1,505,000 | 2,288,000 |
| Richmond clinic | 760,200 | 1,099,800 | 1,163,000 | 1,720,000 |
| Etembeni clinic | - | 1,207,000 | 1,469,000 | 1,975,000 |
| Richmond CHC | 2,584,100 | 3,721,600 | 3,759,000 | 3,275,000 |
| Smitsdrift | 80,000 | 100,000 | - | 182,000 |
| Strydenburg clinic | 454,500 | 499,100 | 543,000 | 835,000 |
| Vanwyksvlei clinic | 292,300 | 428,400 | 603,000 | 924,000 |
| Victoria-West clinic | 1,300,000 | 1,046,100 | 1,077,000 | 1,715,000 |
| Vosburg CHC | 967,500 | 1,325,600 | 1,753,000 | 1,464,000 |
| Wege CHC | 4,084,300 | 5,924,000 | 5,018,00 | 4,387,000 |
SIYANDA
(a) Siyanda District determines, and makes inputs and recommendations, based on needs as identified in DHER and DHP, and expenditure of the previous financial year, as per BAS reports, for each (i) hospital, (ii) PHC and (iii) District.
Financial allocations are then made by the Provincial Finance Unit, based on the available funds, to each District, and Districts then have the responsibility of allocating funds to each (i) hospital, (ii) PHC and (iii) District, for capturing on the BAS system.
(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (aa), (aaa), (bbb), (ccc), (bb)
| Facility | Allocation | |||
| Hospitals | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
| Gordonia | 54,071,000 | Province | Province | Not allocated yet |
| Kakamas | 8,078,000 | |||
| Keimoes | 6,639,000 | |||
| Postmasburg | 8,992,000 | |||
| CHC's | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
| Groblershoop | 1,078,000 | |||
| Rietfontein | 1,602,000 | |||
| Askham | 690,000 | |||
| Danielskuil | 1,273,000 | |||
| Kenhardt | 3,738,000 | |||
| Clinics | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
| Sarah Strauss | 635,000 | |||
| Progress | 682,000 | |||
| Lingelethu | 670,000 | |||
| Upington | 23,897,000 | |||
| Louisvaleweg | 362,000 | |||
| Raaswater | 272,000 | |||
| Kanoneiland | 244,000 | |||
| Kalksloot | 259,000 | |||
| Leerkrans | 128,000 | |||
| Karos | 186,000 | |||
| Grootdrink | 200,000 | |||
| Wegdraai | 216,000 | |||
| Topline | 111,000 | |||
| Boegoeberg | 328,000 | |||
| Keimoes | 2,884,000 | |||
| Lennertsville | 233,000 | |||
| Marchand | 162,000 | |||
| Augrabies | 251,000 | |||
| Kakamas | 3,209,000 | |||
| Lutzburg | 193,000 | |||
| Cilliers | 156,000 | |||
| Postdene | 242,000 | |||
| Postmasburg | 2,787,000 | |||
| Boichoko | 211,000 | |||
| Philandersbron | 120,000 | |||
JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE
(a) and (b) Allocations are determined based upon the headcounts in conjunction with the services available and staffing totals as well as the previous year's expenditure and District Health Plans
| 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | |
| District Management | 10'894'734 | 14'382'000 | 16'350'000 | 10'650'000 |
| Clinics and CHC's | 40'469'730 | 54'084'000 | 68'970'000 | 66'285'000 |
| Hospitals | 76'821'090 | 99'720'000 | 111'757'000 | 101'806'000 |
FRANCES BAARD
BUDGET ALLOCATION HOSPITALS:
| HOSPITAL NAME | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
| Z.K.Matthews, Dikgatlong | 4,193,857 | 11,244,363 | 11,975,247 |
| Magareng, Warrenton | 4,081,244 | 10,612,312 | 11,302,112 |
| Jan Kempdorp, Jan Kempdorp | 3,875,840 | 11.610,424 | 12,365,102 |
| Hartswater, Connie Voster | 4,379,663 | 12,227,197 | 13,021,965 |
| GDH, Kimberley | 4,374,853 | 9,053,852 | 9,642,352 |
Clinic allocation according to sub-district:
| Phokwane: | 13,120,436 | 12,530,500 | 13,157,025 |
| Dikgatlong: | 10,157,616 | 11,283,000 | 11,959,980 |
| Magareng: | 6,610,814 | 10,363,000 | 11,036,595 |
QUESTION NUMBER 1590
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 MAY 2010
Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
Whether each province has its own funding allocation model in order to determine what level of funding their respective health departments receive; if not, (a) why not and (b) how are funding allocations determined; if so, what model is used in each province?
NW1852E
REPLY:
Health services in provinces are funded through the provincial equitable share and health conditional grants. Conditional grants have to be spent according to specified conditions. The conditions and allocation criteria used to allocate conditional grants to provinces are determined by the national Department of Health.
Each province has its own approach in allocating its provincial equitable share, including the funding allocation to health. Most provinces attempt to take into account previous spending levels and new national priorities. However, provinces tend to differ in the way that they approach provincial specific priorities and pressures.
This matter is currently under discussion with the provinces with a view to creating greater certainty for provincial health budgets, and ensuring that national objectives in respect to health are achieved.
QUESTION NO. 1591
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What (a) aspects of the National Health Insurance system is the Ministerial task team focusing on and (b) how were the members of the task team selected;
(2) whether he has set a date by which the work must be completed; if not, why not; if so, what is the date?
NW1853E
REPLY:
(1) The Ministerial Advisory Committee on the National Health Insurance (NHI MAC) has been established through the Government Gazette No 32564 of 11 September 2009 as per the provisions of the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003), Section 91 (1) read with Section 91(2). It comprises of 28 members who were appointed by the Minister of Health on the basis of their technical expertise on various areas including management, public and private health, legislative development, communications, health economics, operational and financial planning.
The terms of reference and the work of the NHI MAC are focused on advising the Minister of Health on various aspects of National Health Insurance (NHI) policy development, supporting legislation and implementation to ensure that the NHI is implemented within the stipulated timeframe of 5 years. The work of the NHI MAC focuses on areas such as human resources for effective health services delivery, determination of strong referral patterns based on primary health care as the platform for health services delivery, procurement and purchasing mechanisms, reimbursement models that should be used for both public and private providers within the NHI environment, and the institutional and organisational structures required for the effective operation of the NHI.
(2) The scope of work of the NHI MAC is expected to last for a period of 5 years. This is based on the Terms of Reference as published in the Government Gazette No 32564 of 11 September 2009 which stipulates that the NHI MAC will generally advise the Minister of Health on various aspects of NHI policy development, supporting legislation and implementation over a 5 year time frame.
QUESTION NO. 1592
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether any study was conducted into the value that the taxpayer receives for every rand spent on public health; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does his department (i) determine whether the taxpayer is receiving value for money and (ii) identify inefficiencies in the system; if so, (aa) what were the findings, (bb) when was it conducted, (cc) by whom was it conducted, (dd) how was the value for money measured and (ee) how does South Africa compare with other countries in this regard?
NW1854E
REPLY:
Several studies have been undertaken by the Department of Health over a number of years, to look into the efficiency with which healthcare funds are utilised in creating public value. The findings of some of these studies propose a total reconfiguration of the health services platform with respect to the "provision of tertiary services including the regional hospitals services". The studies also recommend the need to accurately determine the cost required in "financing district hospital packages" and also "determining the levels of efficiencies in district hospitals". The rationale for the Department of Health in embarking on these studies is to ensure that all South African citizens get access and benefits of healthcare services in the public healthcare sector. Although some of these studies were conducted some years back, they provide a guide to the current policies and have led to several individual projects that are being conducted by the National Department of Health.
(aa) what were the findings?
1. National Plan for the efficient and equitable development of tertiary and regional hospital services
The key findings of this study were:
· negotiation of increased recurrent funding for district, regional and tertiary hospitals to improve quality and sustainability of services;
· audit of location of specialists and other specialised staff and the gap analysis, development of referral networks;
· development of referral networks, agreements and protocols, accompanied by incremental development of national patient transport system for inter-hospital transport of non-acute referred patients.
2. Gap analysis in the financing of district hospitals
The finding of this study was:
· in order to provide district hospital services to the South Africa public, there is a need for the increased financing of the district hospital package;
· it was also recommended that there is a need for increased human resources to meet the needs as reflected in the district hospital package;
3. Technical efficiency analysis of district hospitals in the public health sector
Amongst the district hospitals which were sampled for the study:
· there were 45% of district hospitals that were found to be technically inefficient in terms of outputs whilst the inputs required for effective and efficient health services delivery were sufficient;
· any improvement in the levels of efficiencies should take into consideration the mechanisms associated with the use of current budget allocations, staffing norms, case-mix analysis, severity of cases treated and improvement in the availability of necessary medical equipment and technology.
(bb) when was it conducted?
· the Gap Analysis of financing District Hospitals was completed in 2008;
· the study on the Technical Efficiency Analysis of District Hospitals in the public health sector was completed in 2008;
· the National Plan for the Efficient and Equitable development of Tertiary and Regional Hospital services study was completed in 2009.
(cc) by whom was it conducted?
· the National Plan for the Efficient and Equitable development of Tertiary and Regional Hospital services was conducted by the National Department of Health;
· the studies on the Gap Analysis of District Hospitals and technical efficiencies of district hospitals were both conducted by the National Department of Health, the Department of Public Health Medicine at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, and the University of KwaZulu/Natal.
(dd) how was the value for money measured?
The studies measured value for money at the selected facilities by applying the following techniques:
1. National Plan for the efficient and equitable development of tertiary and regional hospital services
· a cost model was developed which enabled the calculation of the full costs per cost centre per unit of activity for both inpatient and outpatient activities. In addition, the model was updated to reflect the true salary costs of health professionals and other staff, and this was used to calculate personnel costs;
· a patient travel and referral analysis model was used to analyse referrals between regional and tertiary facilities and to further determine the distance between facilities in order to improve access;
· human resources information was used in order to ensure there is adequate and appropriate health professionals available to render hospital services;
· an integrated health planning framework and the hospital revitalisation plan was included to ensure that planning activities in the Department of Health are consistent with the aim of allowing a full integration of planning at all levels of care.
2. Technical efficiency analysis of district hospitals in the public health sector
The studies defined Technical efficiency as being focused on the combination of resources (such as equipment, staff and drugs and medical supplies) to produce the greatest output. To assess technical efficiency, the studies focused on two questions depending on whether it has input- or output-orientation. In output-oriented technical efficiency, the focus was on expanding output quantities without changing the quantity of inputs used. With regards to the input-oriented technical efficiency, the focus was on reducing input quantities used without changing the quantity of outputs produced. Therefore, the performance of hospitals was measured using ratios that mainly measure capacity utilisation and frontier techniques founded on micro-economic theory of production. The commonly used ratios in the efficiency analyses included bed occupancy rate, turnover ratio, turnover interval and average length of stay.
(ee) how does South Africa compare with other countries in this regard?
There are very few countries in the developing and developed world that have conducted studies aimed at reconfiguring the service platform for the provision of tertiary and regional services, the financing of district hospitals and the determination of technical efficiencies in these facilities. However, for some that have conducted similar studies, it is clear that inadequate financing of the health sector, specifically primary healthcare services, places a huge burden on the hospitals because they then take on the responsibility of providing primary healthcare services. It is important to note that the Department has already initiated additional work to address some of the findings of these reports. Examples of these include the work done by the Department's Directorate: Quality Assurance and Investigation into the Development of a Diagnosis Related Grouper for South Africa.
QUESTION NO. 1593
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
1593. Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether there is any protocol dealing with the transfer of patients between the public and private sector and vice versa; if not, (a) why not and (b) according to what framework are patients transferred; if so, what is the protocol? NW1855E
REPLY:
We have requested Provinces to provide us with this information and for now only the following responded. Information on other Provinces will be forwarded once received.
NORTHERN CAPE
KIMBERLEY HOSPITAL COMPLEX(FRANCES BAARD)
There is an agreement between the public hospital and private sector whereby patients are transferred for investigative purposes where the service is not available in the Public Hospital e.g. mammograms
On rare occasions may a patient be transferred to the Private Hospital ICU if the Hospital ICU is full. Statistics 2007 – 1, 2008 – 1, 2009 – 0, 2010 – 0
Patients who have exhausted their medical aid are transferred from the Private Hospital to the Public Hospital after discussions with the Clinical Head of Unit and are billed according to the UPFS (Uniform Patient Fee Schedule).
NAMAQUALAND
No protocol is available. The hospitals cater for private as well as public patients. The private Medical Doctors decide when and where to send their patients.
Should a patient's medical aid be exhausted, the medical aids send a letter to the District Pharmacist and we provide medication to the patient as needed.
Only private patients who need specialist treatment are send by Private Doctors, otherwise the private doctors treat their patients local.
PIXLEY-KA-SEME
From Public to Private sector- decision by patient/doctor/medical aid
From Private to Public- Public sector accept patient as private when patient has a medical aid/when referred by private doctor/depending his income and assets; if not in these categories – treated as H1 patients (state patients)
SIYANDA
There is no protocol in place dealing with this issue.
The National Health Act, under patient rights, dictate the patients have the right to decide where they want to be treated, as such, pro-deo patients are transferred to private facilities on request, and private patients are transferred to public facilities on request or if they fail to pay private rates at these facilities. Government also has the responsibility of containing serious contagious diseases and outbreaks. Patients falling in these categories, irrespective whether they are private or pro-deo, are transferred to specialized state units, capable of handling such cases.
JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE
Kuruman Hospital is a public hospital and most of the patients are indigent patients.
We received patients which are revered by the private doctors but we do not refer to the private doctors. Private patients may be referred to the private hospital only if there is a need for him/her to be treated at level 2 hospital or the patient refers to be treated there.
There is no written protocol and the agreement is usually between the two doctors treating the patient.
WESTERN CAPE
The Western Cape Provincial Department of Health would seldom transfer a patient from public to private unless the patient requests this. If so, then the referring doctor will consult with the accepting doctor and refer accordingly. There are no written policies to this effect.
If referred from private to public, then they are treated as any other patient in terms of categorization and billing.
QUESTION NO. 1594
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 May 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether he intends to extend the prescribed minimum benefits (PMB) in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, Act 131 of 1998, to include all hospitalisation; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does he intend dealing with the problem of private patients who have exhausted their PMB being transferred to state hospitals; if so, when will this be implemented?
NW1856E
REPLY:
(a) The Department of Health and the Council for Medical Schemes have recently finalised the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) review process. Through this participative process, which considered the comments from a broad range of all stakeholders, including consumers, providers, medical schemes, manufacturers and academics, recommendations were made to the Minister in respect of amendments to the PMB regulations. A key recommendation from a number of stakeholders proposed that the PMBs must be expanded to include all hospitalisation. Technical inputs from stakeholders' shows that key pre-requisites for the expansion of the PMBs are not in place currently thereby preventing the inclusion of all hospitalisation at this stage. These pre-requisites include the implementation of a framework for the stabilisation of prices, and the development of a standard package of comprehensive essential care for medical schemes.
(b) The PMBs are a mandatory entitlement for all medical schemes beneficiaries irrespective of the benefit option they belong to. Therefore, by definition and according to the provisions of the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998), PMBs cannot be exhausted. Whether the medical schemes' beneficiaries utilise private and/or public hospitals for PMBs conditions, it remains the obligation of the medical scheme to pay for all diagnosis, treatment and disease management processes as provided for in the regulations and accompanying treatment algorithms and diagnosis treatment protocols of the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998).
QUESTION 1596
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21/05/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 14 OF 2010)
Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
1. Whether he will permit the establishment of private medical schools; if not, why not; if so, when will they be established;
2. Whether his department had any discussions with the Department of Health on the establishment of private medical schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1858E
REPLY:
1. In terms of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997) (hereafter referred to as "the Act"), the Minister of Higher Education and Training has the authority to establish public higher education institutions including the establishment of medical schools. The Act however does not empower the Minister of Higher Education and Training to establish "private medical schools".
Section 51 of the Act states that no person other than a public higher education institution or an organ of state may provide higher education unless that person is, in the prescribed manner, registered or conditionally registered as a private higher education in terms of this Act.
Medical schools offer higher education programmes. If such a provider does not fit the definition of a public higher education institution or an organ of state, then that provider is required to establish a private higher education institution which operates as a "medical school" under the authority of the Registrar of Private Higher Education Institutions.
Since the Act permits the establishment of private medical schools if it meets the requirements for registration, the Minister may not prohibit the registration unless there are compelling reasons to do so.
2. No, there were no discussions with the Department of Health because the matter was never raised.
QUESTION NO: 1597
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14 OF 21 May 2010
Mrs W Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and
Traditional Affairs:
Whether he will take any action against municipalities which are not participating in
the Green Drop Report to ensure that all the municipalities participate; if not, why
not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1860E
Reply
The Green Drop Report is a report of the Department of Water Affairs, The Report has not yet been presented to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Minister (of CoGTA) has therefore not yet decided whether he will take action or not. The Minister will decide once he has been presented with the report and has studied it whether to take any action or not.
QUESTION 1598FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 May 2010
Internal question paper no:
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) (a) What processes, procedures and mechanisms exist with regard to the registration and grading of early childhood development (ECD) centres and (b) how are these centres graded;
(2) how many ECD centres have been (a) registered and (b) graded in each province in each of the last three financial years;
(3) what mechanisms, processes and procedures exist to ensure that registered ECD centres (a) remain registered and (b) retain the highest possible norms and standards;
(4) (a) how are illegal ECD centres identified and (b) what penalties are given to illegal ECD centres;
(5) (a) how many ECD centres are dependent on her department in each province, (b) how much is funded per centre and (c) what criteria is used to assess their dependency on funding from her department? NW1861E
REPLY:
1. (a)The establishment, registration and management of the Early Childhood Development centres (ECD) is regulated by the Children's Act no 38 of 2005, as amended and its Regulations, at National and Provincial level.
The Department of Social Development is the custodian of this Act and its main responsibility is to ensure proper implementation and compliance to the Act by all relevant stakeholders. The Department of Social Development provides guidance and support to the Non Profit Organisations and private organisations who provide ECD services.
The ECD centres are mainly private initiatives by the communities. As it is clearly stipulated in the Children's Act, as amended, the key role-players in terms of the establishment and management of ECD centres are Departments of Social Development, Basic Education, Health and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Local Municipalities).
The process of registration is as follows:
· An applicant wishing to establish an early childhood development centre is required to contact officials (social service professionals) at the Provincial Department of Social Development for guidance and support in terms of the Act.
· The applicant will be advised on registration requirements, procedures and a prescribed application forms for registration.
· A designated official will conduct an on-site visit and compile a report with a recommendation for registration depending on the compliance requirements.
· If the applicant meets the requirements, full registration will be recommended and approved. Conditional registration could also be recommended. The official will provide support to the conditionally registered centre to ensure that it reaches the required level.
· If the application is rejected due to non-compliance, the officials will provide the necessary support to the applicant in order to ensure that it meets the registration requirements.
The Department of Social Development conducts monitoring and regular inspections at the ECD centres to enforce the provisions of the Act in terms of section 87(1)(c) of the Children's Act, as amended.
(b) The grading system for the ECD centres was phased out five years ago because it was discriminating the disadvantaged communities. It was agreed that all ECD centres should be subsidised at the same level.
2. The following number of ECD centres have been registered by the Department of Social Development in each province for the last three financial years as presented in the tables below:
| 2007-08 | |||
| PROVINCE | REGISTERED ECD CENTRES | ||
| Eastern Cape | 2568 | ||
| Free State | 1357 | ||
| Gauteng | 1662 | ||
| KwaZulu-Natal | 2742 | ||
| Limpopo | 1403 | ||
| Mpumalanga | 679 | ||
| North West | 549 | ||
| Northern Cape | 341 | ||
| Western Cape | 963 | ||
| TOTAL | 12 264 | ||
| 2008-09 | |||
| PROVINCE | REGISTERED ECD CENTRES | ||
| Eastern Cape | 2 728 | ||
| Free State | 1 573 | ||
| Gauteng | 1 975 | ||
| KwaZulu–Natal | 2 905 | ||
| Limpopo | 1 572 | ||
| Mpumalanga | 830 | ||
| North West | 643 | ||
| Northern Cape | 371 | ||
| Western Cape | 1 139 | ||
| TOTAL | 13 736 | ||
| 2009-10 | |||
| PROVINCE | REGISTERED ECD CENTRES | ||
| Eastern Cape | 2 861 | ||
| Free State | 1 679 | ||
| Gauteng | 3 273 | ||
| KwaZulu–Natal | 3 067 | ||
| Limpopo | 1 875 | ||
| Mpumalanga | 948 | ||
| North West | 780 | ||
| Northern Cape | 504 | ||
| Western Cape | 1 263 | ||
| TOTAL | 16 250 | ||
3. (a) In terms of section 87 (1) of the Children's Act as amended, the provincial department is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the record (data base) of all ECD centres and the compilation of a profile of the children.
(b) Regular inspections and monitoring of ECD centres takes place in the Provinces to enforce the provisions of the Children's Act. The Department of Social Development has provided ongoing capacity building on the guidelines, norms and standards to the ECD centres.
4. (a) The departmental officials at district level identify the unregistered ECD centres during monitoring and inspection assessment and recommend appropriate action. The provincial department works in partnership with the Child Care Forums that also assist in the identification of such centres and which are then referred to the Department for professional and administrative support.
(b) In terms of section 30(6) of the Child Care Act no 74 of 1983 that was in operation before the promulgation of the new Act, any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions and requirements for registration of places of care is guilty of an offence. This means that places of care that are not registered are illegal and persons operating them can be charged. The Act makes provision for closure of the centre if it is found to be unregistered and operating illegally. It further provides for the removal of children from the unregistered centre and placement of the affected children in a registered centre within the same area.
Currently, in terms of section 85 (1)(a)(i) of the Children's Act no 38 of 2005, as amended, a Provincial Head of Social Development may by way of written notice of enforcement instruct a person operating an unregistered ECD centre to stop operating that facility or (ii) to apply for registration within the period specified in the notice.
5. (a) The Provincial Departments of Social Development only provides subsidies to children who qualify in terms of the means test. The total number of children currently benefiting from subsidy is 432 727. (In terms of section 78(1) of the Children's Act no 38 of 2005 as amended, the MEC for Social Department may, from money appropriated by the relevant legislature provide and fund ECD centres and services for the province.)
(b) The Provincial Department of Social Development do not fund ECD centres directly, however they subsidise children on a daily attendance basis. The ECD centres are subsidised at a rate of R12.00 per child per day in all provinces, with the exception of Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape whose subsidy is still at R11.00 per child per day. The National Department of Social Development is presently facilitating the process of standardisation of the subsidy payments in all the provinces. The implementation of standardisation of the subsidy payments depends on the availability of budgets within the provinces.
(c) The provincial departments apply the means test which is linked to the Child Support Grant (Social Assistance Act of 2004), as criteria for the qualifying children.
QUESTION NO 1599
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14- 2010)
Date reply submitted : 1 June 2010
1599. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether a case docket was opened relating to the murder of a certain person (name furnished) who was allegedly burnt to death in the xenophobic riots in May 2008; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action was taken as a result of this; if so, (i) when was the case opened and (ii) what is the current (aa) status and (bb) progress of the case?
NW1862E
REPLY:
Yes, a case docket was opened as per Reiger Park CAS 259/05/2008.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(i) The case was opened on 23 May 2008.
(ii) (aa) Investigation is complete.
(bb)The docket was referred to the Senior Public Prosecutor on 12 May 2010 for a decision.
QUESTION NUMBER: 1600
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 21 MAY 2010
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 2 NOVEMBER 2010
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:
(1) With regard to each of the five official presidential residences (name furnished) in each of the past five financial years, what was the (a) full staff compliment, (b)(i) title and (ii) annual salary of each staff member; (c) breakdown of annual maintenance costs, (d) number of days that (i) he and (ii) the Deputy President have spent in residence at each of the residences;
(2) Whether any other person has resided at any of the above five official presidential residences in any of the past five financial years; if so, (a) who and (b) for how many day?
NW1863E
REPLY:
1 (a&b) As staff are not necessarily based entirely in one household, a list of the total staff complement and the positions occupied in the Households section is attached as Annexure A. The salary levels range between level 4 and level 11 of the public service.
(c) Details of the expenditure is attached as Annexure B
(d) No official records are kept of the days that the President or Deputy President have spent in the residences.
2. Apart from the President, Deputy President and their families, no other person resides at the residences.