Henry Gluckman

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Henry Gluckman was a South African politician. He served as Minister of Health from 1945 until 1948. He was the country's first Jewish cabinet minister.[1] He was first elected to Parliament in 1938, representing the United Party.[2] A member of the party’s liberal wing, Gluckman was a proponent of racial equality and generous social spending.[3][4] Between 1942 and 1944, he chaired the National Health Services (NHS) Commission. He proposed the free provision of medical care to all South Africans. The NHS would be financed by a health tax. Although his proposal wasn’t ultimately adopted by government, it has influenced healthcare policy in the country.[5] He criticized his successor A.J. Stals, who he believed, had mismanaged the Directorate of housing, causing a shortage of sufficient shelter.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "Jewish Doctor Named Minister of Health in South Africa; First Jew in Cabinet". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1945-11-13. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  2. ^ "First Jewish Woman Named to South African Parliament; Hertzog Party Leads". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1938-05-20. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  3. ^ "Dr. Gluckman is U.P. choice for Yoeville". Rand Daily Mail. 1 December 1937.
  4. ^ ""Brilliant maiden speech" by Dr. H. Gluckman". Rand Daily Mail. 30 April 1938.
  5. ^ Harrison, D. (September 1993). "The National Health Services Commission, 1942 - 1944 - its origins and outcome". South African Medical Journal. 83: 679–684.
  6. ^ "Duel between Gluckman and Stals over housing". Rand Daily Mail. 20 August 1948. p. 11.
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