South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has put pen to paper on a groundbreaking health bill aimed at ushering in universal health coverage just two weeks prior to a hotly contested election.
At the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where the signing ceremony took place, President Ramaphosa lauded the bill as a pivotal stride toward a fairer society.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act targets the nation’s two-tier health system, seeking to rectify disparities where a vast majority rely on an overstretched and dilapidated publicly funded sector, while a privileged few access superior treatment through private insurance.
Under the legislation, the role of private insurance will gradually diminish, paving the way for a new public fund to grant South African citizens free access to healthcare.
Additionally, the act will regulate fees and prices that private healthcare providers may charge for NHI-funded benefits.
Despite the government’s optimistic outlook, critics voice concerns over the potential strain on public finances, reduced patient autonomy, compromised care quality, and the exodus of skilled medical professionals.
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