Certificate of Need
The National Health Act, 2003 was proclaimed by the State President on 20 April 2005.
However, the provisions relating to Certificate of Need was excluded from the
proclamation. The reason appears to be that the Department of Health is mindful of the
court cases it was and is presently engaged in with various professions and many
legislative provisions were subject to challenge in court last year and continuing this
year.
The implementation of the certificate of need provisions in the Act were delayed at least
until the contemplated issues are properly investigated. The Department of Health is busy
with the necessary regulations and the provisions of the Act relating to certificate of
need will thus be held back until these regulations are ready.
Dentists can thus breathe a temporary sigh of relief until at least the end of this
year when it is anticipated the regulations will be finalised. The regulations will in the
forthcoming couple of months be made available for comment and the Association will then
convey its members strongest objections.