Chairperson, hon Minister and hon members, transformation has never been an easy process to undertake and successfully accomplish. That fact notwithstanding, and no matter how slow, painful or complicated the task may be, the continuation along the path of the improvement of the delivery of services to the benefit of all the people of this country must be sustained. The provision of cost-effective and efficient health services is part of the Government's programme to realise that goal.
At this point one needs to point out that this particular Bill was not fast- tracked, but rather has the distinction of having had two meetings for dealing with initial negotiating mandates, after provinces were given an extra week during which to further consider the Bill. The National Health Laboratory Service Bill seeks to put in place enabling mechanisms and processes for the purpose of realising the objective of creating a single unified laboratory service out of the fragmented state and state-funded laboratory services which exist at present, some as a result of historical developments and past policies of separation.
It can be expected that restructuring the laboratory services will have unavoidable casualties and opponents, just as in any other exercise. However, in this process the positives outweigh the negatives because it will result in an improved quality of service to clients, brought about by, among other things, a centralised one-management structure at national level. That will provide better co-ordination and an improvement in the capacity to manage delivery.
The integration of the disadvantaged laboratory services will also benefit provinces through, among other things, the standardisation of services through national norms and standards, as well as improved financial viability through better business practices that reduce the duplication of services. Contrary to fears in some quarters, the one-management structure that will result from the integration process will not disadvantage provinces in any way. Instead the system will enhance, through the pooling of resources and expertise, the provinces' ability to receive quality service through the numerous branch areas that will be established, taking into consideration provincial and regional boundaries, thereby establishing service points where previously none existed. The Northern Province supports the Bill as amended. [Applause.]