BLSA believes signing NHI Bill into law will leave healthcare sector worse off

JOHANNESBURG - Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) believes that if the NHI Bill is signed into law on Wednesday, it will leave the country's healthcare sector worse than it already is.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to ratify the National Health Insurance Bill in a public ceremony at the Union Buildings on Wednesday.

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The association said that in its current form, there was no clear funding model for the NHI, which would cripple the sector.

The NHI Bill continues to face criticism a day before it's officially passed, with Business Leadership South Africa expressing its disappointment over this.

It said that the timing of the signing was questionable as it comes just 15 days before the elections.

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BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso said that there were many elements of the bill that could not be satisfied at the moment.

"The problem is that once this is in the books, we will enter a painful period which will do no good for either the health system or government."

At the same time, the South African health professionals collaboration representing 25,000 health workers has raised concern over the signing of the bill, arguing that the potential consequences of the Bill may be dire to the healthcare sector.

Political parties have also weighed in on the matter, with the DA threatening court action.