ActionSA ‘alarmed’ at lack of data on undocumented patients
ActionSA says it is concerned that the Health Department does not track the number of undocumented migrants who make use of the country’s healthcare facilities.
In a response to a parliamentary question by ActionSA, the Health Department said everyone has the right to access healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare, and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
This is after ActionSA asked for a report on the number of undocumented migrants who were reported to the Department of Home Affairs by their counterparts at Health.
In its response, the Department of Health added that “patients are requested to present proof of identification to ensure that, for their safety, they are being treated as the individuals who they say they are. However, services are not withheld from those who are unable to do so”.
ActionSA’s Kgosi Letlape said the department's response validates their longstanding concern that South Africa’s public healthcare system is burdened by an “unquantified and unmanaged demand”.
“In the absence of tracking, verification or appropriate data collection, the department is unable to account for the full scope of service delivery liabilities.
“We believe that this is particularly concerning given that millions of foreign nationals, many of whom are undocumented or lack any form of medical insurance, reasonably make use of taxpayer-funded public healthcare services,” said Letlape.
“In a public health system already buckling under pressure, with overcrowded hospitals, long queues, understaffing and medicine shortages, this lack of oversight is reckless and unsustainable.”
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