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DA: Health survey postponed again

Johannesburg - A survey aimed at gathering crucial health and demographic information in South Africa has been postponed for the fourth consecutive year, the DA said on Sunday.

"Without this data, government cannot provide high quality healthcare to the public, reduce the high disease burden and ensure a responsive health system," Democratic Alliance spokesperson Mike Waters said in a statement.

"It is crucial that government regularly and effectively monitor the effect of its policies on the population at large."

The party would submit questions to parliament to find out why the survey was not budgeted for and why the health department had taken so long to secure funding from Treasury.

The SA Demographic and Health Survey is necessary for the assessment and development of health policy.

Health department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe was not immediately available for comment.

The survey, which would help ensure government programmes reached their intended target audience, was last conducted in 2003. The follow-up survey was meant to be carried out in 2008 but was continually postponed.

In a recent reply to a parliamentary question, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said a funding request had been submitted and the next survey would be conducted in 2012.

Countries around the world are expected to produce a demographic survey every five years and submit a report to the World Health Organisation.

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