ATC231201: Annual Report on the Activities of the Select Committee on Health and Social Services January 2023 to December 2023

NCOP Health and Social Services

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES JANUARY 2023 TO DECEMBER 2023

1. Overview of the Chairperson:

According to the Rules of the National Council of Provinces, Rule 102 (2) (b) A committee must report to the Assembly - on its activities at least once per year, and this Annual Report documents the activities of the Committee between January 2023 until December 2023.

2. Membership of the Committee:

Name	Province	Party
Mr E Njadu	Western Cape	ANC – from May 2023*
Mr E Nchabeleng	Limpopo	ANC
Ms E Nkosi	Mpumalanga	ANC
Ms N Ndongeni	Eastern Cape	ANC
Mr I Ntsube	Free State	ANC
Ms DC Christians	Northern Cape	DA
Mr MR Bara	Gauteng	DA
Ms SB Lehihi	North West	EFF
**Ms S Luthuli	KwaZulu-Natal	EFF – recalled October 2023

*The late Ms M Gillion served the Committee as a Chairperson from the beginning of the term to 28 February 2023.

3. Mandate and strategic priorities of the Committee:

To consider legislation referred to it and to facilitate public participation.
To conduct oversight of any organ of state and constitutional institution falling within its portfolio.
To facilitate the appointment of candidates to entities.
To consider international agreements; and
To consider the budget votes of the departments and entities falling within its portfolio.

4. Bills referred to the Committee:

Title of Bill	Analysis of the Bill in terms of government priorities and outcomes	Referral Date	Date/s of public hearings	Consideration date/s	Adoption date (with or without amendments)	Publication date of report in the ATC	Debate date in the House
*Fund-Raising Amendment Bill [B29B-2020], Section 76*	The Bill amends certain definitions; provides for the discontinuation of certain funds and for the dissolution of any boards responsible for those funds; to establish the Disaster Relief and National Social Development Fund and to transfer any amounts remaining in the discontinued funds to the Disaster Relief and National Social Development Fund; to empower the Minister to make regulations in respect of the financial year of a fund; and to provide for matters connected therewith.	28 September 2022	Provinces held hearings between 24 May and 25 August 2023	Briefing by the Department of Social Development: 16 May 2023 Negotiating Mandates: 05 September 2023 Final Mandates: 22 September 2023	Adopted without amendments	22 September 2023	26 September 2023
*National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill [B11-2019], Section 76*.	The objective of the Bill is to establish a NHI Fund and to set out its powers, functions and governance structures; to provide a framework for the strategic purchasing of health care services by the Fund on behalf of users; to create mechanisms for the equitable, effective and efficient utilisation of the resources of the Fund to meet the health needs of the population; to preclude or limit undesirable, unethical and unlawful practices in relation to the Fund and its users; and to provide for matters connected herewith.	13 June 2023	Provinces held hearings between 18 July and 30 October 2023	Briefing by the Department of Health: 20 July 2023 Negotiating Mandates: 14 and 28 November 2023 Final Mandates 21 and 28 November 2023	Adopted without amendments	29 November 2023	29 November 2023 – deferred to 06 December 2023

Title of Bill

Analysis of the Bill in terms of government priorities and outcomes

Referral Date

Date/s of public hearings

Consideration date/s

Adoption date

(with or without amendments)

Publication date of report in the ATC

Debate date in the House

Fund-Raising Amendment Bill [B29B-2020], Section 76

The Bill amends certain definitions; provides for the discontinuation of certain funds and for the dissolution of any boards responsible for those funds; to establish the Disaster Relief and National Social Development Fund and to transfer any amounts remaining in the discontinued funds to the Disaster Relief and National Social Development Fund; to empower the Minister to make regulations in respect of the financial year of a fund; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

28 September 2022

Provinces held hearings between 24 May and 25 August 2023

Briefing by the Department of Social Development: 16 May 2023

Negotiating Mandates: 05 September 2023

Final Mandates: 22 September 2023

Adopted without amendments

22 September 2023

26 September 2023

National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill [B11-2019], Section 76.

The objective of the Bill is to establish a NHI Fund and to set out its powers, functions and governance structures; to provide a framework for the strategic purchasing of health care services by the Fund on behalf of users; to create mechanisms for the equitable, effective and efficient utilisation of the resources of the Fund to meet the health needs of the population; to preclude or limit undesirable, unethical and unlawful practices in relation to the Fund and its users; and to provide for matters connected herewith.

13 June 2023

Provinces held hearings between 18 July and 30 October 2023

Briefing by the Department of Health: 20 July 2023

Negotiating Mandates: 14 and 28 November 2023

Final Mandates 21 and 28 November 2023

Adopted without amendments

29 November 2023

29 November 2023 – deferred to 06 December 2023

5. Oversight trips: N/A

Oversight trip date	Objectives	Province and area visited	Consideration Date (of report)	Publication date of report in the ATC	Estimated Costs

6. Budget Vote / Fiscal Framework Consideration:

Name of paper	Referral date	Name of stakeholder/s who made submission	Nature of submission/s (Oral and/or written)	Analysis of the Budget Vote in terms of government priorities and outcomes	Consideration Date	Date of Adoption of report	Publication date of report in the ATC	Consideration date by the House
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities	May 2023	N/A	N/A	Regulate the socioeconomic transformation. Implement the empowerment and participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.	09 May 2023	20 June 2023	21 June 2023	No debate
Department of Social Development	May 2023	N/A	N/A	Implement the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) National Strategic Plan (NSP). Improve the optimisation of social welfare services. Optimise the social security legislative framework and develop appropriate norms and standards for service delivery. Strengthen the non-profit organisations (NPOs) legislative framework and thereby contribute to addressing some dimensions of increased monitoring activities that are being conducted by the Financial Action Task Force. Promote vibrant and sustainable communities. Improve livelihood strategies and economic participation.	25 April 2023	16 May 2023	17 May 2023	20 June 2023
Department of Health	May 2023	N/A	N/A	Prevent illness, disease. Promote healthy lifestyles. Improve the health care delivery system by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality, and sustainability.	02 May 2023	16 May 2023	17 May 2023	18 May 2023
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)	May 2023	N/A	N/A	Collect, compile, and disseminate a wide range of economic, social and population statistics. Develop and maintain a database for national statistics on businesses and enumeration areas. Liaise with other countries and statistical agencies. Represent Stats SA and South Africa in statistical activities internationally.	05 May 2023	16 May 2023	17 May 2023	no debate

7. Committee Strategic Plan:

Date of strategic planning workshop	Analysis of the Strategic Plan in terms of government priorities and outcomes	Venue	Date adopted by the Committee	Date published in the ATC	Estimated Costs
28 February 2023	a) Process, pass and monitor implementation of relevant legislation. b) Ensure that the public is central in the processing of legislation and scrutinizing of Executive actions. c) Undertake an effective process of scrutinising and overseeing identified focus areas of the following departments (and their entities): Health; Social Development; Statistics South Africa and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. d) Strengthen support systems to enhance the efficient and effective functioning of the Committee. e) Ensure cooperative governance. f) Expand knowledge through international exposure.	Cape Town Lodge Hotel, Cape Town	18 April 2023	N/A	N/A

Date of strategic planning workshop

Analysis of the Strategic Plan in terms of government priorities and outcomes

Venue

Date adopted by the Committee

Date published in the ATC

Estimated Costs

28 February 2023

a) Process, pass and monitor implementation of relevant legislation.

b) Ensure that the public is central in the processing of legislation and scrutinizing of Executive actions.

c) Undertake an effective process of scrutinising and overseeing identified focus areas of the following departments (and their entities): Health; Social Development; Statistics South Africa and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

d) Strengthen support systems to enhance the efficient and effective functioning of the Committee.

e) Ensure cooperative governance.

f) Expand knowledge through international exposure.

Cape Town Lodge Hotel, Cape Town

18 April 2023

N/A

8. Conference/Workshop/Seminar: N/A

Date of event

Objective/s

Country or Province and Place of event

Analysis of an event in terms of government priorities and outcomes

Report required

(yes or no)

Consideration date (if applicable)

Adoption date (if applicable) / Date of verbal report to the Committee

Publication date of report in the ATC

Estimated Costs

9. International trips/ study tours undertaken: Joint Study Tour (with the SC on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture)

Date

Objectives

Country visited

Analysis of the study tour in terms of government priorities and outcomes

Consideration date/s

Adoption date

Publication date of report in the ATC

Estimated Costs

Consideration date by the House

03-07 July 2023

The Committee’s focus was the public health care system, including the implementation of the NHI and welfare programmes.

Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Process, pass and monitor implementation of relevant legislation. e.g., NHI

05 September 2023

06 September 2023

R3 million

23 November 2023

10. Meetings held by the Committee:

Date of meeting	Agenda	Adopted date of minutes	Estimated Costs
14 March 2023	Briefing by the Department of Health on the Annual Report 2021-22 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	18 April 2023	N/A
18 April 2023	Briefing by the Central Drug Authority (CDA) on the 2021/22 Annual Report and an update on the National Drug Master Plan Consideration and Adoption of the Committee Annual Performance Plan 2023/2024 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	25 April 2023	N/A
25 April 2023	Briefing by the Department of Social Development on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget Vote 2023/2024 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	02 May 2023	N/A
02 May 2023	Briefing by the Department of Health on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget Vote 2023/2024 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes.	05 May 2023	N/A
05 May 2023	Briefing by Statistics South Africa on the Annual Performance Plan and Budget Vote 2023/2024 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	09 May 2023	N/A
09 May 2023	Briefing by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities: 2023/2024 Annual Performance Plan and Budget Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	16 May 2023	N/A
16 May 2023	Briefing by the Department of Social Development on the Fund-Raising Amendment Bill, Section 76 [29B-2020] Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	20 June 2023	N/A
20 June 2023	Briefing by the Department of Health on the NHI Bill, Section 76 [B11B-2019] Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	14 November 2023	N/A
05 September 2023	Negotiating Mandates on the Fund-Raising Amendment Bill, Section 76 [29B-2020] Input by the Legal Advisers Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	14 November 2023	N/A
22 September 2023	Final Mandates on the Fund-Raising Amendment Bill, Sec 76 [29B-2020] Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	14 November 2023	N/A
31 October 2023	Consideration of Submissions on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 and Department of Health responses to submissions Input by the Legal Advisers Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	14 November 2023	N/A
07 November 2023	Consideration of Submissions on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 and Department of Health responses to submissions Input by the Legal Advisers Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	21 November 2023	N/A
09 November 2023	Consideration of Submissions on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 and Department of Health responses to submissions Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	21 November 2023	N/A
14 November 2023	Consideration of negotiating mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 and Department of Health responses to submissions Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	21 November 2023	N/A
21 November 2023	Consideration of final mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 Adoption of the Committee Report Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	To be adopted	N/A
28 November 2023	Consideration of the Western Cape Legislature’s negotiating and final mandates on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 Adoption of the Committee Report	To be adopted	N/A
01 December 2023	Briefing by the DWYPD on the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill (GBVF) [B31B-2022], Section 75 Briefing by the Department of Social Department on the Protocol to the African Charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of older persons in Africa Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	To be held	N/A

11. Cancelled meetings:

Date of meeting	Agenda	Reason for cancellation
07 March 2023	Briefing by the Department of Social Development on the Annual Report 2021-22 Consideration and Adoption of Committee Minutes	NCOP programme changes
13 June 2023	Briefing by the Department of Health on the NHI Bill, Section 76 [B11-2019] Negotiating Mandates on the Fund-Raising Amendment Bill, Section 76 [29B-2020]	The NHI Bill was referred on 13 June 2023 The Eastern Cape requested an extension to conduct public hearings
24 October 2023	Consideration of Submissions on the NHI Bill [B11B-2019], Section 76 and Department of Health responses to submissions	Department of Health not ready with response document
28 November 2023	Briefing by Statistics South Africa on the Annual Report 2022/2023	Prioritising the finalisation of the NHI Bill
01 December 2023	Briefing by SASSA on the Annual Report 2022/23	Prioritising the briefing on the GBVF Bill

12. Public Hearings: N/A

Date

Agenda/ matter on which hearings were held

Place

Presenters

(oral and/or written submissions)

Analysis of Public Hearings in terms of government priorities and outcomes

Adoption date of report

Publication date of report in the ATC

Estimated costs

Debate date in the House

13. Consideration of Section 32 reports (of PFMA) published by National Treasury: N/A

Title of Report	Analysis of the Report in terms of government priorities and outcomes	Consideration date	Adoption date	Publication of report in the ATC	Estimated costs

14. Consideration of Annual Reports: N/A

Referral date	Consideration Date	Name of entity	Adoption of report	Publication of report in ATC

15. Information on entities reporting to the Department:

Name of Department/s	Name of its entity	Mandate of its entity	Date of tabling of strategic plan of an entity	Date/s of engagement/s with the entity
Department of Social Development	South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)	The role of SASSA is to ensure the provision of comprehensive social security services against vulnerability and poverty within the constitutional and legislative framework and create an enabling environment for sustainable development.	30 October 2023	Refer to Committee meetings above
	National Development Agency (NDA)	The role of the NDA is to contribute towards the eradication of poverty and its causes by granting funds to civil society organisations for the purposes of implementing development projects of poor communities.	30 October 2023
	Central Drug Authority (CDA)	The CDA is expected to give effect to the National Drug Master Plan; advise the Minister on any matter affecting the abuse of drugs; and plan, coordinate and promote measures relating to the prevention and combating of alcohol, drugs, and the treatment of persons’ dependent on alcohol and drugs.	30 October 2023
Department of Health	Medical Research Council (MRC)	The objects of the MRC are, through research, development, and technology transfer, to promote the improvement of the health and quality of life of the population of the Republic, and to perform such functions as may be assigned to the MRC by or under the Medical Research Council Act (58 of 1991).	30 October 2023
	National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS)	The NHLS forms a national network of integrated pathology laboratories throughout the country that utilise common laboratory management systems and transport networks to facilitate transport of specimens, referral of tests to reference laboratories and delivery of results.	30 October 2023
	Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC)	The OHSC is established in terms of Section 77 of the National Health Act, to promote and protect the health and safety of the users of health services.	30 October 2023
	Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)	The CMS is a statutory body established by the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998) to provide regulatory supervision of private health financing through medical schemes.	30 October 2023
	South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)	SAHPRA was established in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act (101 of 1965), as amended, to replace the Medicines Control Council (MCC).	30 October 2023
Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities	National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)	To mainstream youth issues to society and to facilitate youth development with all sectors of society.	30 October 2023
	Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)	To advance, promote and protect gender equality in SA.	30 October 2023

16. Applications/activities not approved: None

Date	Objectives	Reasons

17. Sponsorship received by the Committee: None

Date	Name of Sponsor	Objectives	Amount

18. Papers referred to the Committee for consideration:

Title of the Paper	Referral date	Consideration date. Please indicate if there were public hearings	Adoption date	Publication date of report in the ATC	Consideration date by the House
Ratification of the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA)	26 October 2023	14 November 2023	14 November 2023	15 November 2023	23 November 2023
Protocol to the African Charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of older persons in Africa	08 November 2023	01 December 2023	01 December 2023	02 December 2023	To be scheduled

Title of the Paper

Referral date

Consideration date.

Please indicate if there were public hearings

Adoption date

Publication date of report in the ATC

Consideration date by the House

Ratification of the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA)

26 October 2023

14 November 2023

15 November 2023

23 November 2023

Protocol to the African Charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of older persons in Africa

08 November 2023

01 December 2023

02 December 2023

To be scheduled

19. Papers referred to the Committee for information: N/A

Title of the Paper

Referral date

Consideration date

Adoption date

Publication date of report in the ATC

20. Support staff:

Position	Name of Staff
Unit Manager	Mr Dennis Bandi
Content Adviser	Ms Thabile Ketye
Committee Secretary	Ms Marcelle Williams
Researcher	Mr Mkhululi Molo
Executive Secretary	Mr Gregory Roxo
Committee Assistant	Ms Nomntu Nomvese Mr Kessie Naidoo Mr Kholisile Lobi
Media Liaison Officer	Ms Yoliswa Landu

………………..

Chairperson: SC on Health and Social Services

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