The private health sector needs to be restructured as its current structure allows financial interests to take precedence over the interests of patients, Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Thursday.
”The current structure of the private health sector, unfortunately, has created incentives that detract from the ultimate objective of health for all, and instead has created incentives that allow financial interests to take precedence over the interests of patients,” Tshabalala-Msimang said.
She said it is a system that has been abused by some and detracts from the constructive role that the private sector has been playing all along.
”Therefore, the private health sector needs to be restructured in a manner that will enhance its important role in improving the health of the nation,” she said.
Tshabalala-Msimang was speaking at the launch of the framework of a health charter meant to improve access and equity in health care and to promote black economic empowerment.
She said its primary objective will be to enhance and encourage cooperation between public and private health services.
The Department of Health and the private sector are already at legal loggerheads with up to nine court challenges against legislation recently launched to make medicines cheaper. — Sapa