Wednesday 28 October

Health care

SAHRC enquiry into access to health care services, 2007

This submission argues that there is a growing crisis of disease and ill health in South Africa that not only undermines the quality of life of millions of individuals, but also crucial programmes aimed at the reconstruction and development of the country. Much of this crisis could have been avoided. It results, in large part, from the failure of government to recognize the link between fundamental rights to dignity, equality and autonomy and the state’s constitutional obligations in respect of the right to have access to health care services.

By Section27, ago

Correctional Services Amendment Bill, 2007

A week after Cabinet adopted the Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa (“the Operational Plan”) in November 2003, MM – an inmate at Westville Correctional Centre and the seventh applicant in the case of EN v Government of Republic of South Africa (No 1) – was diagnosed withoesophageal candidiasis, an AIDS-defining illness.

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Draft National Strategic Plan, 2007

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the draft NSP 5-year plan. Although we are aware that the Chief Director: HIV/AIDS and STDs has requested only short inputs (“not essays”) the complexity of the plan, and its importance to South Africa, has required the detailed response below. In addition, whilst working on this submission a further draft (dated 14 November 2006) has been made available. However, most of the points we deal with below remain relevant.

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Methodology for conforming with international benchmarks, 2006

Government Notice 2007 of 2005 (Government Gazette No. 28214 of 11 November 2005) calls for submissions – amongst other things – on a methodology for conforming with international benchmarks of the prices of medicines. According to the notice, the methodology will be determined and published by the Minister of Health (“the Minister”) in terms of regulation 5(2)(e) of the Regulations Relating to a Transparent Pricing System for Medicines and Scheduled Substances (“the pricing regulations”).

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Appropriate dispensing fee, 2005

In an advertisement placed in the Sunday Times (dated 23 October 2005 and entitled “Call for Submissions”), the Pricing Committee invited “interested parties to provide input on an appropriate dispensing fee as envisaged in terms of section 22G of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, Act No. 101 of 1965” (the Medicines Act). In particular, the advertisement called for interested parties to “provide input on all issues that are relevant to the determination of an appropriate dispensing fee.”

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Nursing Bill, 2005

The AIDS Law Project (“the ALP”) welcomes, in principle, the move by the Department of Health (“the DOH”) to repeal the Nursing Act 50 of 1978. The memorandum on the objects of the Nursing Bill (“the Bill”) states that its primary purpose is to “transform the Nursing Council so as to increase the protection of the interests of the public” as well as to increase the accountability of the Nursing Council (“the SANC”).

By Section27, ago

Draft Regulations to the Medical Schemes Act, 2004

Section 27(2) of the Constitution imposes on the state a positive obligation to take reasonable measures to realise the right of access to health care services for all. By enacting the Medical Schemes Act, 131 of 1998 (the Act), government has created a powerful framework for the effective regulation of the private medical scheme industry.

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Health and Hope in Our Hands – 2004

Health and Hope in Our Hands: Addressing HIV and AIDS in the aftermath of rape and woman abuse.

This manual offers hands-on advice for service providers, health providers, traditional healers, counsellors and activists on how to deal with rape and sexual assault, as well as to provide a comprehensive package of care to rape survivors. It focuses on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and living with HIV/AIDS amongst other topics.

By Section27, ago

National Health Bill, 2002

The AIDS Law Project (ALP), AIDS Consortium (Consortium) and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) welcome the release of the draft National Health Bill (the NHB or the Bill), published for public comment on 9 November 2001, and to be tabled in Parliament later this year.

By Section27, ago
WDA