Chairperson, the ACDP acknowledges the efforts being made to grasp the issues and address the challenges we are facing in South Africa in improving access to quality health services for everyone. Because we have a Minister of Health who is prepared to confront even the most difficult challenges with an openness and energy that is contagious, we have high hopes that progress is possible. We are, however, painfully aware that unless we see significant progress, people's lives are going to be increasingly at risk.
This budget will have to meet expectations raised regarding infrastructure development, hospital revitalisation, training of medical practitioners, women and child health, HIV and Aids, the NHI and so much more. The department must make sure that last year's underspending does not happen again, as it will seriously weaken any prospect of progress.
While the budget for HIV/Aids and TB has increased, the budget for maternal, child and women's health has decreased and, at face value, this does seem to be a concern, even though is clear that all programmes should impact significantly on maternal, child and women's health.
Primary health care services are crucial, and the relatively small allocation to this programme does raise questions as to whether plans to achieve a more "primary health care" approach as opposed to a hospicentric approach, will stay in focus. The ACDP, like the rest of the country, is acutely aware that education and training for the health sector in South Africa has not grown sufficiently to meet our health needs and this must continue to be driven, hon Minister.
It seems that, while we are struggling with issues of noncompliance and a lack of accountability in South Africa, we are facing another side of the coin. The escalating cost of legal claims, across both state and private sectors, undermines service delivery and has adverse consequences for patients, the public and those delivering care.
Careful thought will have to be given to the issues of noncompliance and accountability on the one hand and, on the other hand, to the growing problem of litigation, excessive premiums and defensive medicine, potentially crippling the health sector.
The protection of the public and the delivery of quality services are complex. A balance must be found between the need for health professionals to be able to do their work free of fear and with proper accountability.
With time running out, I will just comment quickly on the National Health Laboratory Service, NHLS, which is vital to our health system. It conducts virtually all diagnostics for the public health system. These include HIV viral load tests, CD4 counts and TB culture and resistance tests. It is a functioning institution that has been facing bankruptcy and collapse because two provincial Departments of Health have failed to pay some R2billion.
Whilst no longer facing bankruptcy, the institution is functioning on austerity measures in case the financial problems reoccur. It is unable to employ anyone, except those in core and critical positions, and it is understaffed due to the number of staff members who resigned last year during the crisis.
The ACDP calls for decisive action to be taken by the national Department of Health and the Treasury to prevent a reoccurrence, which could result in the collapse of the NHLS. [Time expired.] Thank you. [Applause.]