Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has cautioned pressure group Operation Dudula’s leadership against blocking foreign nationals from accessing healthcare services in the country.
Motsoaledi granted the group leadership its demand to meet him after their attempt to shut down Lillian Ngoyi clinic in Soweto on Monday.
The department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale spoke to this writer on YOU FM Newshour immediately after the meeting, highlighting that group’s leaders shared their respective views and concerns.
“We understand their concerns, but we tabled our position in terms of the limitations to ensure that we provide healthcare service to everyone in the country.
“We understand their concerns, we did tell them, but we said unfortunately according to the current laws of the country, our hands are tied so we cannot be seen violating the same laws we are supposed to uphold,” said Mohale.
The department said that it is aware of Operation Dudula’s activities and that they’re illegal.
“We are aware of their operation and the way they execute it.
We did not dwell into specific events including today’s operation where they attempted to block Lillian Ngoyi clinic in Soweto, because we have been closely monitoring their operation.
But we focused on what led them to conduct themselves in that fashion, something that they shared with the department and their frustrations, and the minister tried to point them to the relevant clause or pieces of legislation he must uphold,” explained the spokesperson.
In addition, Mohale said that the minister has advised Operation Dudula’s leadership to rather focus on influencing changes in legislation to address their concerns of illegal migration into the country.
“The minister of Health (Dr Motsoaledi) is a former minister of Home Affairs, he was dealing with the issue of immigration.
“That experience assisted the meeting to understand the limitations in terms of the department of health, as much as we understand their concerns which are genuine, which we are battling with, especially the burden of undocumented foreign nationals in our clinics and hospitals.
“Unfortunately, we cannot afford to deny anyone healthcare services precisely because of the legislation, especially section 27 of the constitution, especially the national health Act.
“But also, if we dare prevent anyone from accessing healthcare, they can litigate against us,” warned Mohale.
He said the group didn’t make any guarantees that it’ll stop its campaigns or operation even after their meeting with the minister.
“Our message was clear to them, to say protesting around healthcare facilities will not solve the problem,
“Rather channel your energies to the right solution which includes identifying several laws that will need to be amended to find a long-lasting solution,” remarked Mohale.
Meanwhile, three Operation Dudula members who were arrested last week after storming the Lillian Ngoyi Clinic, were released on free bail today.
The members questioned patients about their nationality and demanded their identity documents.
