National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)

Chapter 1 : Objects of Act, responsibility for health and eligibility for free health services

Purchase

(1)	The Minister must, within the limits of available resources—

(a)	endeavour to protect, promote, improve and maintain the health of the population;

(b)	promote the inclusion of health services in the socio-economic development of plan Republic;

(c)	determine the policies and measures necessary to protect, promote, improve and maintain the health and well-being of the population;

(d)	ensure the provision of such essential health services, which must at least include primary health care services, to the population of the Republic as may be prescribed after consultation with the National Health Council; and

(e)	equitably prioritise the health services that the State can provide.

(2)

The national department, every provincial department and every municipality must establish such health services as are required in terms of this Act, and all health establishments and health care providers in the public sector must equitably provide health services within the limits of available resources.