NHI Bill comes under sharp scrutiny again amid plans to fast-track its signing into law
During Thursday’s State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa told Parliamentarians that the bill would be implemented incrementally to deal with issues like health system financing and the health workforce.
SA's NHI Bill not properly thought through, says doctors' forum Picture: Pexels
JOHANNESBURG - The National Health Insurance Bill has again come under sharp scrutiny amid plans to fast-track the controversial legislature into law.
The renewed criticism follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that it’s only a matter of time before he signs off on the NHI Bill.
During Thursday’s State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa told Parliamentarians that the bill would be implemented incrementally to deal with issues like health system financing and the health workforce.
The bill aims to provide equal health services to all South Africans, giving patients universal access to private facilities at state cost.
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Former South African Medical Association Board chairperson, Dr Angelique Coetzee said the NHI Bill fails to address poor public health infrastructure.
“Good access to good quality healthcare, that I can live with; but then you start with public-private partnerships – you look at the communities, you work together with your nearest clinics, you try to see how you can get this going. You don’t need NHI fund for that, you need common sense for that.”