Delivered by a SayPro Royal Committee Non-Executive Member- Israel Basie Medupe
Distinguished SayPro Leadership, Esteemed Healthcare Workers, Valued Partners, and Community Members,
Good day to each and every one of you.
It is my honour to speak today as a Non-Executive Member of the SayPro Royal Committee on this important occasion — SayPro National Healthcare Decisions Day 2025. Today is not only about policies or systems — it is about people. People who deserve the right to choose how they are cared for, and people whose voices must be heard, respected, and protected.
Healthcare is one of the most personal and critical areas of our lives. It affects our families, our communities, and our future. Yet too often, people are left out of the very decisions that shape their own health journeys. At SayPro, we say: no more.
Today is a call to action — to empower every person with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make informed healthcare choices. It is a day to educate, to advocate, and to honour the rights of individuals to say:
- “I understand my options.”
- “I want to choose my care.”
- “I need my voice to be respected.”
As a non-executive member, I represent a voice outside of day-to-day operations — a community voice. And what I see and hear across our communities is clear: people want to be involved in decisions that impact their health and lives. But for that to happen, we must build trust, transparency, and accessibility in our healthcare systems.
In 2025, the SayPro Royal Committee has taken real steps forward by:
- Promoting open dialogue between families and healthcare providers
- Encouraging cultural sensitivity in decision-making practices
- Ensuring that health information is clear, accessible, and available in multiple languages
- Supporting community workshops that teach people how to document and share their healthcare preferences
We must continue to reach those who are often left behind — the elderly, the disabled, the poor, and those in rural areas — and ensure that their decisions are not only heard but respected and implemented.
To our healthcare workers: Thank you for your dedication and compassion.
To our community members: You have the right to choose. Use your voice, protect your health.
To our SayPro family: Let us continue to put people first, by putting their choices at the centre of care.
On this National Healthcare Decisions Day, let us recommit ourselves to a future where dignity and choice are not optional — they are guaranteed.
Thank you.
Happy SayPro National Healthcare Decisions Day 2025!
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