Ntuthuzelo Nene3 July 2024 | 15:02

HAITU wants new Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to speed up NHI implementation

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controversial bill into law in May, paving the way for equal access to healthcare services.

HAITU wants new Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to speed up NHI implementation

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo (left) swears in Aaron Motsoaledi (right) as the minister of health at the CTICC in Cape Town on 3 July 2024. Picture: @GovernmentZA/X

JOHANNESBURG - Health workers union HAITU has called on newly-appointed Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to fast-track the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

Motsoaledi replaces Joe Phaahla, who now serves as his deputy, in the country's seventh democratic administration.

Motsoaledi is no stranger to the health portfolio, having served as the minister from 2009 to 2019.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controversial bill into law in May, paving the way for equal access to healthcare services.

HAITU General Secretary Lerato Mthunzi said that they believed Motsoaledi’s presence in the health department would speed up the implementation of NHI.

"Dr Motsoaledi has a reputation of being hands-on when it comes to solving problems within the department. He was indeed very instrumental in architecturing the NHI Bill, and we're definitely looking forward to NHI being rolled out come 2026, as the year earmarked for implementation."