IFP PRESS STATEMENT BY: 

DR RUTH RABINOWITZ MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON HEALTH

11th June 2008

With regards to the recent standoff between the Private Hospitals and the Department of Health over the amendments to the National Health Bill, Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP IFP spokesperson on Health, today said:

 "In view of the current impasse between the private hospitals and the Department of Health and 14 years of mistrust that has prevailed between agents delivering private health and the Minister of Health, the IFP calls for more transparent consultation between representatives of private hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical schemes, pharmacies and Doctors on the one hand and Government regulating bodies on the other, namely Council for Medical Schemes, Board of Health Care Funders, Medicine Control Council and Department of Health."

"Failing this, we feel that shot gun legislation based on mistrust and incomplete evidence will be counterproductive to building a bridge between the public health sector and the private sector. They should work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals."