The health ombudsman says more needs to be done to redefine ethics in healthcare.
The ombudsman was referring to ethical shortcomings which contributed to the Life Esidimeni Tragedy, during which nearly 150 psychiatric patients lost their lives.
The Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa is concluding a two-day summit in North West ahead of the imminent announcement of changes to the Medical Schemes Act.
The focus of the summit is changing the landscape of healthcare in pursuit of universal access and looking at ways to correct issues undermining the health profession.
Health ombudsman Malegapuru William Makghoba says: “There are still examples of ethical breaches that have taken place in South Africa in the apartheid era and even during the new dispensation and we should clean those up as we approach the new turn.”
Stakeholders are waiting with bated breath for Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to announce amendments to the Medical Schemes Act.
Managing director of BHF, Katlego Mothudi says: “The intention of the conference was to say what do we as an industry or what can we do even prior to legislative reforms so we will support from a principle point of view because we realise that universal health coverage is for the betterment of health care service provision for the healthy citizen.”
With just hours to go before the minister makes pronouncements regarding the amendments, health professionals and funders across the country are on edge, preparing for ground breaking changes to healthcare funding.
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