IN CONVERSATION WITH TEBOGO MASHILOMPANE
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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has raised serious concerns about ongoing reports that some public healthcare facilities are refusing treatment to foreign nationals, warning that such practices could worsen the spread of illnesses like HIV and tuberculosis (TB).
The commission stated that denying access to healthcare based on nationality or immigration status is not only unethical and unlawful, but also a direct violation of South Africa’s commitments under both local and international human rights law.
SAHRC Commissioner Sandra Makoasha said the issue is rooted in systemic failures, and warned that failure to treat everyone equally puts the entire population at risk.
“If we do not provide access to healthcare for all, we will continue to see increases in HIV and TB cases—two of South Africa’s most urgent health challenges,” she said.
Makoasha also called for regional collaboration, especially among SADC countries, to address healthcare access for migrants in South Africa.
“We need a regional conversation around how to manage access to healthcare so that vulnerable people aren’t forced to compete for limited resources in already stretched public hospitals,” she added.
The SAHRC urged government and healthcare institutions to uphold the constitutional right to healthcare and ensure no one is left behind—regardless of nationality or
The commission stated that denying access to healthcare based on nationality or immigration status is not only unethical and unlawful, but also a direct violation of South Africa’s commitments under both local and international human rights law.
SAHRC Commissioner Sandra Makoasha said the issue is rooted in systemic failures, and warned that failure to treat everyone equally puts the entire population at risk.
“If we do not provide access to healthcare for all, we will continue to see increases in HIV and TB cases—two of South Africa’s most urgent health challenges,” she said.
Makoasha also called for regional collaboration, especially among SADC countries, to address healthcare access for migrants in South Africa.
“We need a regional conversation around how to manage access to healthcare so that vulnerable people aren’t forced to compete for limited resources in already stretched public hospitals,” she added.
The SAHRC urged government and healthcare institutions to uphold the constitutional right to healthcare and ensure no one is left behind—regardless of nationality or