Hon House Chair, at the very outset, please allow me to tell you that the NFP supports the Bill tabled here today. Let me start of by saying that I just want to respond to the member from the EFF. She is correct when she says that this Bill is not going to give you more doctors, but if implemented, it simply means that you will not need as many doctors as you need today. [Applause.] [Laughter.]
She is correct when she says it is not going to give you medicine, but if implemented, there will be a need for less medicine than we have at the moment. The reason for that is - she goes on to say - that there is no research. If you read the amendment to the Bill, it clearly talks about training and research, if necessary, in order to address challenges in the health sector.
So, the purpose of this is - let me give you a good example and I hope that the department is taking cognisance of this: This particular province has the highest incidents of diabetes. We know the challenges of cancer we face in the country. I had the opportunity of sitting next to somebody on the plane recently and everyone in this House knows who she is but I won't mention her name. Her research shows that even Sunlight liquid soap is one of the root causes of cancer.
So, this Bill can address these issues in terms of its research to prevent people from picking up illnesses like cancer and diabetes - the effects of Coca Cola and everything else! I think we must welcome this initiative. This started previously with the former Minister of Health. He came and gave a detailed briefing to the committee. Let me also add that even the members of the EFF were there, supported it and made input in that committee - the Portfolio Committee on Health.
So, let us not come here and run everything down. When there is a good initiative which is going to benefit our people, let us support it. Equally, if there is a problem, we can address that too. However, if you run down everything - let me tell you that the emphasis here is on prevention, to be able to identify certain diseases and other things before they get out of hand. I think it is a commendable thing.
Yes, there are going to be implications in terms of cots, but then we have to measure the value of the money that you are spending and what returns we are getting. If you save a hundred lives and spend R1 0000000, then you equate that, you basically saved R100 000000 in the country. So, yes indeed, the NFP will support this amendment. Thank you. [Applause.]