ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
JANUARY – DECEMBER 2004
Portfolio Committee on Health.
Chairperson: Mr L V J Ngculu.
Vision
The Committee strives to provide basic health care services to all people living in South Africa. This means that health care facilities, goods and services have to be available in sufficient quantity, must be ethically and culturally acceptable and must be of a medically appropriate quality
The Committee also exercise oversight over the Department of Health National and Provincial as well as entities falling within health and medical institutions
Mission:
The Committee’s mission is to ensure that all South Africans have access to affordable and accessible health services that are effective and efficient and also deliverance of quality health.
National Department of Health
Provincial Departments of Health
Health Profession Councils of South Africa
Medical Research Council
Medical Schools
Council for Medical Schemes
Despite the varied nature of political composition of the Portfolio Committee on Health we were able to work together as a team There was a great deal of transparency, efficiency and co-operation throughout the period under review. Discussions in committee are marked by commitment to the vision of the Committee and characterised by robust, but frank debate.
The Chairperson wishes to extend a word of appreciation to members of the Portfolio Committee who participated in all the committee activities despite many other commitments. A word of appreciation also goes to the Departments and various entities and individuals and organizations for their co-operation and willingness to appear before the Committee.
The Objectives of the Committee are to perform all the tasks required of a parliamentary committee in a democratic South Africa. The functions here will include: legislative work and oversight.
The Committee dealt with the following Bills in 2004:
Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill [B 65B – 2003]. This was a section 76 Bill Public Hearings on the Bill were held on Tuesday 03 August 2004 wherein Committee Members briefed by various Stakeholders as there were submissions made. On 04 August 2004 deliberations and processing of the Bill was made and there were amendments that were made and adopted by the Committee on the Bill. The NCOP further processed the Bill. On Thursday 11 November 2004 the Bill was passed by Parliament
Dental Technicians Amendment Bill [B 29 – 2003]. This was a section 76 Bill There were no submission on the Bill On 10 August 2004 deliberations and processing of the Bill was made .The Bill is at present with the NCOP.
Traditional Health Practitioners Bill [B 30 – 2003 This was a section 76 Bill Public Hearings on the Bill were held on Tuesday 10 August 2004 wherein Committee Members briefed by various Stakeholders as there were submissions made. On 17 August 2004 deliberations and processing of the Bill was made and there were amendments that were made and adopted by the Committee on the Bill. The Bill at present was on the NCOP for their deliberation and processing
The Committee was briefed on the Budget Votes by the Health department of the following Provinces:
Department of Health Limpompo, Eastern Cape and Northwest – 8 June 2004.
Department of Health Western Cape – 09 June 2004.
Department of Health Mpumalanga, Free State and Northern Cape– 14 June 2004.
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal did not come due to their request
The Committee deliberated on the Strategic Plans of the National Department of Health on 25 May 2004
4.2.2 International / National Visits:
The Chairperson of the Committee Mr L V Ngculu and Ms P Tshwete attended an HIV and AIDS and Governance Study Tour hosted by International Republican Institute which was held in the United States of America in Washington on 18 September to 03 October 2004.
05 OTHER COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES:
The Committee engaged in other activities that have not as yet been discussed. Here the following is of relevance:
Budget allocated to Committee: R746 860.00
Expenditure:
Catering: R25 847.60
Provincial Visits: Nil
Overseas Trips: Nil
Conferences:, Nil
Seminars: Nil
Workshops Nil
Advertisement R48 326.88
Total Expenditure: R74.174.88
Balance R672 685.12
7. OUTSTANDING MATTERS:
The outstanding matters will be incorporated in the new year programme
Incoming committee:
FORMAL ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE
The Committee adopted Annual Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health having been put to the Committee, on 16 November 2004.
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COMMITTEESECRETARY DATE
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CONTROL COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE
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COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DATE
APPENDIX I
COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE:
|
MEMBER |
APPOINTMENT DATE |
DISCHARGE DATE |
|
African National Congress: Dr I M Cachalia Ms I W Direko Dr A N Luthuli Ms M M Madumise Ms. M N S Manana Ms R Mashigo Ms B T Ngcobo Mr.L V Ngculu Mr. S J Njikelana Ms M A A Njobe Mr. S N Nxumalo Mr. L P M Nzimande Ms P Tshwete
|
11/03/2002 25/06/2004 18 /06/ 2001 30 /08/1999 25/06/2004 25/06/2004 25/06/2004 12/03/2002 25/06/2004 25/06/2004 25/06/2004 25/06/2004 09/10/2002 |
|
|
Democratic Party Mr. R Coetzee Mr A C Steyn |
25/06/2004 18/08/2004 |
|
|
Inkatha Freedom Party Dr R Rabinowitz |
20 /08/ 1999 |
|
|
United Democratic Movement Ms N C Nkabinde |
01/ 01/ 2002 |
|
|
Independent Democrats Ms F Batyi Mr. Y Wang |
25/06/2004 25/06/2004 |
|
|
United Christian Democratic Movement Mr. B E Pule |
25/06/2004 |
|
|
African Christian Democratic Party Mrs C Dudley |
01 /05/ 1999 |
|
|
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania Mr. N T Godi |
25/06/2004 |
|
|
Minority Front Ms S Rajibally |
SUPPORT STAFF:
Control Committee Secretary: Ms T Lyons
Period from May 2003 to date.
Committee Secretary: Mr S Vuke.
Period from March 2003 to date.
Committee Assistant: Ms D Martin
Period from Jan 2001 to date.
Secretary to Chairperson: Ms J Mzamo
Period from Feb 2003 to date.
Researcher (Research Unit):