IFP:

That the House -

1) recognises World Rare Disease Day, which will be marked on 28 February this year, and its call and objective to raise awareness among the general public and government about rare diseases and the plight of those living with them;

2) acknowledges that those afflicted and suffering from rare diseases form a small minority in our society and receive little or no help or attention;

3) further acknowledges that 80% of rare diseases have identified genetic origins while others are the result of infections - bacterial or viral, allergies and environmental causes or are degenerative and proliferative, and that 50% of rare diseases touch children;

4) applauds the tireless efforts of organisations such as the Rare Disease Society of SA, which is a registered nonprofit organisation initiated to advocate for patients' rights and to create awareness of various life-threatening rare diseases; and 5) finally calls on government and the Department of Health to commit to the ongoing implementation of a better and more comprehensive approach to rare diseases and to the development of appropriate public health care policies.

Agreed to.