A public debate was held at WiSER (Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research) along side the Wits Department of Politics and the History Workshop as part of a series of Public Positions on History and Politics.

Mark Heywood (Section 27) presented a short paper, followed by discussions from Ayanda Ntsaluba (Discovery Health) and Martin Smith (Surgery at Wits and Baragwanath Hospital).  The panel was chaired by Laetitia Rispel (Wits School of Public Health).

The debate looked at the provision of health care in South Africa and questioned whether the existing state of primary care has enabled a more equitable society in keeping with the vision of the National Health Plan post 1994. The discussion sought to examine how economic questions can obscure what are often more important problems of proper care in both private and publicly funded institutions. In relation to plans for a National Health Insurance, the debate asked the fundamental question as to how South Africans will secure a health care system that provides them with the kind of considerate, dignified and careful service that all citizens should expect?

To read the discussion paper, click here