Ramaphosa to sign contentious NHI bill into law

Ramaphosa to sign contentious NHI bill into law

President Cyril Ramaphosa will finally sign the contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law on Wednesday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa
GCIS

The Presidency has confirmed that the signing ceremony will take place at the Union Buildings.


The bill was passed in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)  in December and later received overwhelming support in the NCOP.


The controversial bill seeks to achieve universal healthcare for all South Africans.


During his final State of the National Address before the elections, Ramaphosa told Parliament in February that the 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," he said.


The South African Medical Association (SAMA) and members of the healthcare industry, as well as some business organisations, civil rights groups, and political parties, have raised concern about the bill being passed in its current form.


There is a belief among many that the government will not be able to run the NHI on its own and that it could see the collapse of healthcare in the country. 


Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has already allocated a R848 billion budget for the health sector with at least R1 billion to be directed to the National Health Insurance (NHI).


This was announced during Godongwana's budget speech in February, where he said the allocation for the NHI is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the policy. 


"There remains a range of system-strengthening activities that are key enablers of an improved public health care system that must be undertaken," said Godongwana.


The Finance Minister then said the money will be used for "building a national health information system and digital patient records, upgrading health facilities and improving quality of care to ensure that they meet the minimum criteria to be certified and accredited for contracting under NHI."


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