National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)Chapter 1 : Objects of Act, responsibility for health and eligibility for free health services4. Eligibility for free health services in public health establishments |
| (1) | The Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Finance, may prescribe conditions subject to which categories of persons are eligible for such free health services at public health establishments as may be prescribed. |
| (2) | In prescribing any condition contemplated in subsection (1), the Minister must have regard to— |
| (a) | the range of free health services currently available; |
| (b) | the categories of persons already receiving free health services; |
| (c) | the impact of any such condition on access to health services; and |
| (d) | the needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. |
| (3) | Subject to any condition prescribed by the Minister, the State and clinics and community health centres funded by the State must provide— |
| (a) | pregnant and lactating women and children below the age of six years, who are not members or beneficiaries of medical aid schemes, with free health services; |
| (b) | all persons, except members of medical aid schemes and their dependants and persons receiving compensation for compensable occupational diseases, with free primary health care services; and |
| (c) | women, subject to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1996 (Act No. 92 of 1996), free termination of pregnancy services. |