Health minister addresses NHI concerns at engagement

POLOKWANE – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi arrived in Polokwane on Monday as part of his nationwide engagement programme with stakeholders, aimed at understanding concerns and gathering recommendations on the effective implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).

While the NHI has been signed into law, its rollout has faced delays due to infrastructural challenges and other pressing issues. Motsoaledi spent the day engaging with leaders from religious groups, worker unions, and provincial and local government, including a session at the Jack Botes Hall.

Despite opposition from some political parties within the government of national unity, who have raised concerns about flaws in its implementation, Motsoaledi affirmed that the government remains committed to moving forward.

Later in the day, Motsoaledi met with the South African Council of Churches (SACC) at the Liberal Church in Polokwane. Executive member, Rev Mautji Pataki, spoke with Polokwane Observer about the discussions, noting that the feasibility of the NHI was a key topic.

Questions were raised about whether the public health system could handle the increased demand for healthcare services, particularly in terms of infrastructure, financing and staffing.

Pataki stressed that, given the large number of citizens reliant on public healthcare, the NHI is a necessary step toward correcting social injustices, especially those rooted in the tax system.

“As South Africans, this is our government. We fund our capital projects through taxes to strive for justice, and this is one of those efforts,” he explained.

He also highlighted the importance of faith-based groups engaging robustly in these discussions to ensure their members feel adequately represented in the policy’s rollout.