EFF Member of Parliament Naledi Chirwa delivered a powerful and impassioned critique of the proposed 2025/26 health budget during the recent Budget Vote 18 debate in the National Council of Provinces. Representing the Economic Freedom Fighters, Chirwa condemned the R296 billion allocation as grossly inadequate, arguing it fails to address the entrenched challenges facing South Africa’s public healthcare system.
She accused the Minister of Health of painting an overly rosy picture that sharply contrasts with the harsh realities on the ground. “Healthcare facilities are in shambles,” Chirwa declared, pointing to crumbling infrastructure, chronic shortages of medical staff, and overburdened hospitals that continue to struggle under the weight of systemic neglect.
Chirwa’s fiery speech underscored the EFF’s demand for a radical overhaul of health funding and policies — insisting that without bold action and meaningful investment, the nation’s healthcare crisis will only deepen. For Chirwa and the EFF, it is clear that the current budget does not come close to meeting the urgent needs of millions of South Africans relying on public health services.
Her call to action highlights a growing frustration within Parliament and the broader public, emphasizing that genuine transformation is essential if South Africa’s healthcare system is to deliver equitable, quality care to all its citizens.
