The Department of Health derives its mandate from the Constitution. Section 27(1)(a) of the Constitution states that "Everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care". Section 27(3) further notes that "no one may be refused emergency medical treatment." Section 28(1)(c) further gives every child the right to "basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services". Finally, schedule 4 of the Constitution makes health care services both a national and provincial legislative competence and/or imperative.