Cape Town — South Africa moved one step closer to universal healthcare after the National Council of Province (NCOP) voted in favour of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.
While it remains to be seen whether President Ramaphosa will sign the Bill into law, many have urged him not to do so as there remains a lot of opposition to it.
The DA, along with businesses, healthcare professionals, hospital groups and other stakeholders, have all signalled their intention to petition the president to send the bill back to the National Assembly, as reported by eNCA. Political activist Mamphela Ramphele said even if it is voted into law, it is not going to work.
“The healthcare system – like many other institutions in our country – has been destroyed by the very same people who are now claiming that the NHI is a silver bullet that’s going to help deal with their failure to provide high quality accessible healthcare for all South Africans,” she said.
There is mounting pressure on the President to send the NHI Bill back to Parliament. It was passed by the National Council of Provinces and now awaits his signature. One of those speaking out is political activist, Mamphela Ramphele. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/RYaoSv3W3J
— eNCA (@eNCA) December 9, 2023
According to Forbes, the NHI bill addresses critical issues plaguing South Africa’s public health sector, including poor services, corruption, and a shortage of staff and funds. Contrasting this, private healthcare — though superior in quality — is beyond the financial reach of most citizens, with only 15.8% covered by private medical aid schemes in 2022, as per government data.
Central concerns revolve around the requirement for private medical schemes to provide supplemental coverage for National Health Service beneficiaries and the methods of securing the necessary funding. This lack of clarity in the bill has left private medical entities and healthcare professionals uncertain about its practical implementation.
According to IOL, Proponents of the NHI see it as a vehicle for much-needed change in a healthcare system riddled with inequalities.
For many, the NHI, thus, provides hope for millions of South Africans who previously had limited access to healthcare due to financial constraints.
According to the Department of Health, because they want a healthcare system that is fair and equal. They said South Africa’s two-tier system of paying for healthcare has failed to guarantee good quality healthcare for all.
The NHI Fund will pay public and private healthcare providers on exactly the same basis – and expect the same standard of care from both. People in lower income groups will be able to consult doctors in private practice and use private hospitals, because the NHI Fund will pay for this care.
The contentious NHI Bill now sits before President Cyril Ramaphosa to be signed into law. However, former President of the Health Professionals Council of South Africa, Dr Kgosi Letlape, says the bill will not solve problems in the health sector.https://t.co/LreZCxxN4X pic.twitter.com/7jUcKMje3C
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 9, 2023
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
