The Committee was concerned that some clinics are operating for 8 hours per day even in areas where there are no hospitals and these clinics are closed during weekends. The Committee views health care as one of the most critical services and priorities of the national government. The Constitution regards this service as basic and provides that every citizen has a right to health care. The closing of clinics after business hours and during weekends violates this fundamental right as might unnecessarily put peoples' lives at health risk. The Committee was of a view that health services ought to be provided for 24 hours per day, particularly in areas where there were no hospitals. The National and Provincial Departments of Health have concurrent functions in respect of health according to the Constitution. Municipalities who were providing clinic services were embarking on unfunded mandates.