A NATIONAL Health Insurance (NHI) Round Table discussion at Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital with Minara Chamber of Commerce on 16 August regarding the status of where the government is at with the NHI, views of the NHI from a public healthcare perspective, as well as the impact on the private healthcare businesses and private practices.
The panel consisted of Dr Anban Pillay, deputy director general for Health Regulation and Compliance at the South African Department of Health, and Dr Tebogo Phaleng, the chief strategic officer from Discovery Health. The discussion was chaired by Mr Solly Suleman, president of Minara Chamber and chairman of Ahmed Al-Kadi.
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Dr Anban Pillay has reiterated that the NHI white paper has been published and the bill will be presented to Parliament. “Every citizen of this country is entitled to access health care on the basis of need and not affordability as per Section 27 of our constitution,” said Dr Pillay. The effects of the NHI on private medical aid contributors, why the NHI was initiated and the benefits of the NHI to the underprivileged were prominent topics.
Further discussed at the round table was the implementation in a phased approach over the next eight years including the cost, the package, incorporation of public and private sectors, how it affects employers and employees as well as necessity of private medical aids.
Discussions regarding the growing progress of the NHI are on-going while the Minara Chamber and Ahmed Al-Kadi pursue resolution.
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