National Health Insurance back in spotlight
NHI is intended to ensure that the use of health services does not result in financial hardship for individuals
THE much-anticipated National Health Insurance (NHI) fund came under the spotlight last week at a media conference at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, to announced the miraculous and groundbreaking operation conducted to separate conjoined twins. The operation, which would have cost millions at a private hospital, was undertaken at no cost to the family.
The NHI is a health financing system that is designed to pool funds to provide access to quality affordable personal health services for all South Africans based on their health needs, irrespective of their socio-economic status. NHI is intended to ensure that the use of health services does not result in financial hardship for individuals and their families.
Speaking at a media briefing, MEC for health in the province Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said: “If the hospital care was to be done privately, it would cost millions.”
This, he said, is why the National Health Insurance was so crucial.
“The costs that would be involved in the hospital care and other future plans would have amounted to what we call ‘catastrophic health expenditure’, which is exactly what NHI will deal with, as our national health minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has been saying,” said Dhlomo.
In his recent budget speech, finance minister Pravin Gordhan announced that the scheme would be set up later this year. Correctly implemented, the NHI is expected to be a huge step towards securing universal healthcare coverage for all South Africans, irrespective of their socio-economic status, but it is not expected to happen overnight. As the minister of health noted, it’s “an ultra-marathon not a sprint”.
“The family would have barely managed, but now these babies are going to have an outcome that is not dependent on how much money their parents have in their pocket.” added Dhlomo.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
