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Yesterday, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the government’s plan to bolster human resources (HR) in the health care sector. This plan includes revitalising nursing colleges, building a new medical school and improving public sector management to make working conditions tolerable in the public sector.

This is a welcome move.

Resolving the health HR crisis in South Africa will be impossible without all players in the healthcare sector on board. So it is puzzling that the Minister would choose to alienate the private sector by referring to it as a “monster” and implying that the weakness in the public sector is somehow because of the private sector.

We all know that the weakness of our public health system is the direct consequence of 17 years of mismanagement by the Department of Health. The private sector is just a convenient scapegoat.

It is time for Minister Motsoaledi to show some maturity. He cannot afford to shut the door on private-public co-operation, which is vital for the success of our healthcare system. The private sector has the skills and the resources to help resolve the healthcare crisis, including contributing positively to resolving the HR shortage.

If Minister Motsoaledi was honest, he would acknowledge the real causes of the deterioration of the public healthcare system. It is a failure of governance, accountability and non-adherence to minimum norms and standards. The lack of implementation of an adequate HR strategy is also a contributing factor.

It is true that the shortage of healthcare professionals is a major stumbling block in the way of providing quality healthcare for all, which is why this ambitious HR strategy is welcome. But the Minister of Health must resist the temptation to play the blame game and alienate key allies in the effort to provide a quality public health service.