Hon Chairperson, let me reject with the contempt it deserves the exaggeration and sensational allegation by the EFF member claiming that all hospitals in the Free State have dirty water and patients and nurses ...
This is absolutely ...
Order, hon members. Order.
This is an absolute exaggeration.
On a point of order, Chairperson.
Hon member, why are you rising?
Chair, I rise on a point of order, Chairperson.
What is the point of order?
Hon Chair, My point of order is: I understand the hon Deputy Minister has not been in Parliament for a long time now.
What is the point of order?
He cannot reject a Member's Statement. Our members were there doing oversight in that hospital. We have ample proof. After this we are going to write to his office.
Thank you.
So he cannot say that. When last were you there by the way?
Thank you hon member. Hon Deputy Minister, will you continue.
Yes. Thank you hon Chair. Indeed this is extreme sensationalism. It does not even recognise the fact that on a daily basis the claim that public health facilities have totally collapsed must be rejected. Even if you go to the Free State and all other nine provinces at the present moment, even if you step just out of Parliament here, you will find clinics in the Western Cape and the other nine provinces ...
Order, hon members. Order.
... clinics and hospitals which are treating hundreds ...
Order, hon members. Hon members, hon members, order! Hon members, a statement was made, the Deputy Minister is responding to it! You may not agree with
him, but he has a right to respond! Let us give him a right to respond!
Hon Chair, it is a matter of fact that as we speak now, you can step out in any of the nine provinces in clinics and hospitals; you will find hundreds and thousands of patients who are receiving treatment, attendant to by many dedicated ...
Order, hon members!
... many dedicated public servants, doctors, nurses and health workers who are saving lives as we are sitting here today. So, I want to say to this sitting here, this hon House and to the people of South Africa who are using the health facilities that the situation may not necessarily be perfect, but the services are being provided to the best of available resources.
To the member of the DA about ...
Order, hon members!
... to the DA member about the Philadelphia Hospital and the Mankweng Hospital issue, we will look into that. We know that we are short of many specialists. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Hon
Chair, it was on the youth league and I am happy to emphasize if you want.
No that statement has been responded to, hon Deputy Minister. Thank you.
Hon members that concludes Ministers' Responses. Order. The last item on the Order Paper is Notices of Motion. Does any member of the ANC wish to give a Notice of Motion?