Giovanna Gerbi10 February 2017 | 4:16
NHI to be implemented over 14-year period, says Zuma
President Jacob Zuma says the NHI programme, which has three phases, is currently in its first phase.
President Jacob Zuma in Parliament. Picture: AFP
CAPE TOWN - President Jacob Zuma says the national health insurance (NHI) will only be implemented over a 14-year period, in three phases.
The president touched on the NHI in his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday night.
He says the programme is currently in its first phase.
But the National Health, Education and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) says it’s disappointed by how long it’ll take to be fully implemented.
Nehawu’s Khaya Xaba says the process must be sped up.
“We want the NHI to be implemented a s soon as possible so that working class people and the poor can have access to quality healthcare. We can’t wait for 14 years for quality healthcare to reach those who cannot afford it.”