The National Council of Provinces, the second House of the South African Parliament, on Tuesday gave the controversial National Health Bill the green light.
One of the most controversial elements of the Bill — piloted through the house by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang — is the requirement that the government regulate where private doctors can practise. The measure has already been passed by the National Assembly.
In terms of the Bill no one may establish, construct, modify or acquire a health establishment or health agency without a certificate of need.
The minister said that the certificate-of-need provisions in the Bill “are the tools by which we intend to address the inequitable distribution of health services over time”.
“The provision is certainly not unique nor particularly new in the South African context.”
“In many countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia, there are systems of licensure of medical practitioners, nurses, dentists and other health professionals,” she said, acknowledging that this did not always include conditions “as to where to set up practice”.
In the US, however, medical doctors licensed to practise in one state could not necessarily do so in others, she said.
Democratic Alliance member of the house Embre Gouws and New National Party member Flip Nel both opposed the certificate-of-need measure. Nel argued that it would add to the brain drain and Gouws said it undermined the right to choose and the free-market principle of supply and demand. — I-Net Bridge