Cape Town – Health Minister Joe Phaahla has announced that the National Health Insurance (NHI) will roll out over four years, without specifying funding sources despite concerns over the already strained health system.
The minister discussed the NHI’s two-phase implementation plan, emphasising quality improvement and broader access to healthcare services.
“The first phase is to deal with the establishment of the institution, accelerating and strengthening the health platform and all other basic instruments. Many of those have already started,” Phaahla said while answering questions from the media after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law on Wednesday.
[WATCH] Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says it is a lie that the NHI Bill was parachuted, stating that more than 60 public hearings sat in all nine provinces and almost every district participated.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/rJMIw8SlaC
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 15, 2024
He said that from 2026 to 2028, the government would ramp up the implementation across all provinces nationwide.
“When it comes to the second phase, it must be more intensive conclusion of actual implementation programmes in terms of contracting of services.”
[WATCH] Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says the signing into law of the NHI Bill is not electineering, but rather a promise of a better and healthier future for all South Africans. “This law represents a comprehensive transformative approach to health delivery.”#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/ZxsVzXRfjI
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 15, 2024
While private healthcare faces criticism for profit motives, Phaahla argued NHI would prevent overcharging.
He also emphasised NHI’s aim to establish a reliable biometric system for citizen registration.
Despite challenges, Phaahla urged healthcare professionals to remain in the country, expressing optimism for improvements.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will publicly sign the National Health Insurance Bill into law. Health Minister Joe Phaahla says healthcare costs have unfairly burdened the most vulnerable in South Africa. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/eukheRlpJK
— eNCA (@eNCA) May 15, 2024
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/ @GovernmentZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
