South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the government will proceed with the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, despite significant resistance from various quarters.
The NHI aims to overhaul the country’s existing two-tier health system and provide universal coverage. Ramaphosa signed the bill into law just before the May election, in which his party, the African National Congress (ANC), lost its parliamentary majority.
In a speech at the conclusion of an ANC policy meeting on Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all South Africans. He affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the NHI.
Earlier on Tuesday, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the bill’s transitional provisions would be put into action “immediately.” This includes establishing advisory committees and revising existing health laws to align with the NHI.
The new legislation will gradually reduce the role of private insurance, establish a public fund to offer free healthcare to citizens, and regulate fees and prices for services covered by the NHI.
Proponents of the NHI see it as a major step towards addressing health inequalities that have persisted since the apartheid era. However, critics, including major local health insurers, argue that the proposed funding model is unworkable.
Motsoaledi acknowledged these concerns but stressed his commitment to addressing stakeholder issues and ensuring that the voices of the most disadvantaged are heard.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), a pro-business party and former opposition group now part of the coalition government, remains a vocal critic of the NHI. DA leader John Steenhuisen has indicated that the NHI remains a contentious issue and will be subject to ongoing discussions.
Motsoaledi also noted that the implementation of the NHI will occur in phases over several years, and legal challenges could potentially delay its rollout.
