Cape Town — The United Nations (UN) in South Africa has praised the contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill that was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
In a statement, the UN welcomed the introduction of the NHI into law and said it was a significant milestone in the journey towards universal healthcare to ensure no one gets left behind. The law is intended to give all South Africans access to equal and quality healthcare services in accordance with the South African constitution.
“In line with our Cooperation Framework, technical inputs, and advocacy interventions with Government, the UN believes that the inclusive and progressive implementation of the NHI law and other social protection measures will accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3.8 to achieve Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, for all, and promote health and well-being across all ages” UN’s Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nelson Muffah, said.
“In line with our Cooperation Framework, the UN in South Africa believes that the #NHI law on universal health access along with other social protection measures will accelerate the realization of the SDGs.”
~ @UN RC in SA, @nmuffuh
🔗Full statement: https://t.co/ONpKhbHrNh https://t.co/uahdQKbtoK— United Nations in South Africa (@UNinSouthAfrica) May 15, 2024
Accoroding to IOL, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the NHI Bill was a process and said citizens would be told when it is the time to abandon their medical aids.
“Don’t abandon your medical scheme as yet, everything will be transparent the day when it reaches certain reduced coverage. The Ministry will announce when everything, all the basic services are covered, hopefully by 2028 and beyond. Please don’t throw away your medical scheme and don’t stop your monthly stop orders,” he said.
Phaahla explained the NHI would be implemented across two phases and that citizens would be informed about the system as it unfolds.
The UN once again commends the Government and people of South Africa for taking this bold step and avails itself to continue to offer technical support in implementing the NHI law for the benefit of all those who live in South Africans.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
