This is further exacerbated by the growing population and the burden of infectious diseases, including HIV and Aids and TB. There are severe shortages of health care professionals, understaffing that needs to long waiting times, reduced quality of care and exhaustion of health care workers.

In addition, health care infrastructure is in disrepair. Many public hospitals and clinics lack essential equipment and facilities, making it impossible to provide adequate care, compromising the health and safety of patients and demoralising workers. Corruption and mismanagement are plaguing the public health care sector, diverting funds and resources away from where they are most needed. This not only undermines the system, but erodes public trust in the ANC government's ability to provide essential services. The NHI is not the answer. The ANC government must address several challenges and allocate resources accordingly. [Time expired.] This time to act is now after the 2024 elections, the DA will ensure that that happens. I thank you.

Question put.

Objections noted.

Ms Z MAJOZI: House Chairperson, corruption, crumbling infrastructure, patient neglect, equipment failure, theft, organisational chaos and staff work overlords have become synonymous with our country's public healthcare system. The expected decrease in the health budget causes even more concerns, as we can foresee that it will only exacerbate the challenges that are already weighing down on quality health care.

While we understand that the implementation of fiscal consolidation measures, to reduce spending and manage debt is the government's attempt at finding a solution to the enormous financial crisis facing our public health care, we have to lament once again the fact that we cannot continuously be a country stuck in a reactive cycle of implementing desperate solutions.

Our government and specifically the Department of Health should have paid close attention to the management of our public hospitals and clinics. The Auditor-General, AG, has reported to us that, across provinces, material misstatements in the financial report and the overall quality of these reports have been an issue that requires correction on an annual basis. The sheer apathy displayed by the provincial departments of health for the implementation of the AG's recommendations is simply unacceptable. Considering this, it does not come as a surprise that medico- legal claims are consuming the health sector, totalling approximately sixty-seven billion rand.

Therefore, the IFP would like to emphasise both the AG and the portfolio committee's recommendation that the Department of Health must assist provincial departments in strengthening financial management, planning and internal controls to improve and maintain audit outcomes. Challenges of patient neglect, equipment failure, organisational chaos and staff work overloads will persist and South Africans will continue to bear the brunt if financial management is not sufficiently addressed. Notwithstanding the concerns raised, the IFP accepts the report. Thank you very much.

#### Afrikaans:

Mr P A VAN STADEN: Agb Voorsitter, aan hierdie departement is daar geen salf meer te smeer nie. Wanadministrasie en korrupsie is besig om op 'n daaglikse basis hierdie departement op sy knieë te dwing en ons sien dit in ons openbare hospitale en klinieke uitspeel. Vir die 2022-23 boekjaar het onreëlmatige uitgawes vir die gesondheidsektor te staan gekom op 'n skrikwekkende R7 miljard. Die departement het 'n onderbesteding van