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Empty bed inside of a healthcare facility.
The Department of Health says although it understands the burden that undocumented migrants have placed on the country’s healthcare services, it cannot deny them access to them.
Yesterday, members of the civil movement Operation Dudula marched to the offices of the South African Human Rights Commission in Johannesburg to hand over a memorandum of grievances.
Operation Dudula wants the authorities to make South Africans a priority in accessing basic services, including health care.
VIDEO | Operation Dudula leader says prioritising SA citizens’ access to healthcare is imperative:
[WATCH] Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula says prioritising SA citizens’ access to healthcare is imperative. The movement led a protest march to the SA Human Rights Commission offices in Durban. They say the Chapter 9 institution and other NGOs violate citizens’ human rights… pic.twitter.com/Dnsz9DbFZS
— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 17, 2025
The department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says everyone has the right to access health services irrespective of their immigration status.
“But also (we need to propose) a solution to address this issue on a long-term basis because we strongly believe that this is a societal issue. It’s not only about health…section 27 is also supported by the National Health Act and other pieces of legislation, says we cannot deny anyone access to health, truly because of their immigration status or their nationality.”
