Gauteng Health MEC says foreigners pay for healthcare

GAUTENG Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has criticised the vigilante blockages where activists have been blocking state-owned hospital entrances, demanding identification from patients and turning away foreign nationals.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

A week ago, IOL reported that members of Operation Dudula in Gauteng and members of the March and March movement began their campaign of manning the gates of government clinics and hospitals, including Addington Hospital, Gateway Clinic and RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth, preventing alleged undocumented foreigners from accessing healthcare.

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika yesterday, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the South African government has agreements with some countries where funds are recouped for services provided to foreign nationals in South Africa. For immigrants who walk into hospitals in Gauteng, without any government recommendation, the MEC said they are subject to stipulated fees for medical care.

"Yes, we do have those agreements, and some of those agreements, the countries are paying. But individuals that come on their own accord in the hospitals, they do pay too. There is this notion that everybody that gets there (government hospitals), coming from foreign countries, is not paying, that is not true," she said.