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WHO report on SA not accurate: Health Minister
SAPA
2000-11-02

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang says a World Health Organisation (WHO) report that rates South Africa's public health system among the worst in the world is not accurate.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang says a World Health Organisation (WHO) report that rates South Africa's public health system among the worst in the world is not accurate.  

The WHO survey, released in June this year, ranks South Africa's health system 175th out of 191 countries.  Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, Tshabalala-Msimang said the report had not taken into account a number of significant improvements which had taken place in the system.  She said there had been no consultation with health authorities in South Africa, which had led to the inaccuracies.  There were also other factors, including gaps in the health system's database which had caused the low ranking.  Inequalities caused by apartheid health distribution systems, the AIDS pandemic and poverty had also contributed to this.  However, our new national healthcare system is addressing these shortcomings and has improved the lives of our people, she said.  Tshabalala-Msimang said it was ironic the WHO report was released at a time when the government was faced with strong opposition to its improvement programmes. Pan Africanist Congress MP Stanley Mogoba said the dismal rating should serve as a wake-up call for everyone, and should not be politicised.  This is one area we should not politicise, but need to work together as we are all going to swim or sink together, he said.  
(Source: SAPA, 30/10/00)

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