Henry Gluckman (1893-1987) was a South African politician. He served as Minister of Health from 1945 until 1948. He was the country's first Jewish cabinet minister. He was first elected to Parliament in 1938, representing the United Party. A member of the party’s liberal wing, Gluckman was a proponent of racial equality and generous social spending. 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. He criticized his successor A.J. Stals, who he believed, had mismanaged the Directorate of housing, causing a shortage of sufficient shelter.
References
- "Jewish Doctor Named Minister of Health in South Africa; First Jew in Cabinet". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 13 November 1945. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- "First Jewish Woman Named to South African Parliament; Hertzog Party Leads". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 20 May 1938. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- "Dr. Gluckman is U.P. choice for Yoeville". Rand Daily Mail. 1 December 1937.
- ""Brilliant maiden speech" by Dr. H. Gluckman". Rand Daily Mail. 30 April 1938.
- Harrison, D. (September 1993). "The National Health Services Commission, 1942 - 1944 - its origins and outcome". South African Medical Journal. 83: 679–684.
- "Duel between Gluckman and Stals over housing". Rand Daily Mail. 20 August 1948. p. 11.