Actionsa Takes Aim At Sahrc Amid Healthcare Access Debate In South Africa

ActionSA says it rejects the continued abuse of South Africa's public healthcare system by illegal foreign nationals .

In recent weeks, some members of the public have attempted to stop foreign nationals, who are allegedly undocumented, from accessing public healthcare facilities.

In a media advisory on Wednesday 2 July, the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC reminded the public that section 271 of South Africas constitution guarantees universal access to healthcare services within the Republics borders.

This constitutional provision means that all people in South Africa regardless of nationality, legal status, race, gender, age, income level or geographic location are entitled to access basic healthcare services, it said.

This includes refugees and asylum seekers, documented and undocumented migrants, stateless persons, and children, including separated, unaccompanied and stateless children.

SAHRC said it was concerned by reports that healthcare facilities and some members of the public were denying treatment to individuals on the basis of nationality or documentation status.

Such practices are not only unethical and unlawful but also inconsistent with South Africa's obligations under both domestic and international human rights law, it added.

It is important to note that no civic group or individual has the legal authority to control access to public health facilities or to enforce immigration laws.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, ActionSA parliamentary chief whip Lerato Ngobeni said misapplication of section 27 of the constitution has placed immense pressure on an already overburdened healthcare system.

While the SAHRC finds time to fight on behalf of illegal foreigners, we are yet to see them join our fight for justice for the Lily Mine families, Ngobeni said.