Ramaphosa 'looking for pen' to sign controversial NHI Bill
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will soon be signing the National Health Insurance Bill into law.
The bill was passed in the National Council of Provinces in December.
Ramaphosa delivered his final State of the Nation Address before this year's elections on Thursday evening.
The controversial bill seeks to achieve universal healthcare for all South Africans.
Ramaphosa says NHI will provide free health care at the point of care for all South Africans, whether in public or private health facilities.
"We plan to incrementally implement the NHI, dealing with issues like health system financing, the health workforce, medical products, vaccines and technologies, and health information systems.
The South African Medical Association and members of the healthcare industry, as well as business groups, have raised concerns about the bill being passed in its current form.
There is belief among many in the sector that the government will not be able to run the NHI on its own, and that is could see the collapse of healthcare in the country.
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