Affordable medical care for all South Africans
ROSEBANK– Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi would like to invest in the implementation of National Healthcare Insurance Bill, to ensure that all South Africans have access to proper medical care.
The Board of Healthcare Funders Southern Africa (BHF) held a joint press conference with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) on 22 May, in Rosebank.
The press briefing was held to highlight the importance of private healthcare centres in partnering with the government to provide health care and financial protection for all South African citizens through National Healthcare Insurance.
The Board of Healthcare Funders approached the Council for Medical Schemes about how private healthcare sectors can assist the government as the regulators are working with the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsolaedi, who has also proposed that government will withdraw tax to medical aid schemes, which will go into the NHI fund.
Chairperson of the Council for Medical Schemes, Clarence Mini explained that the council is about regulating medical schemes or health insurance and how the Board of Healthcare Funders own the majority of medical schemes.
“NHI will be similar to what the healthcare schemes are doing. The minister wants everyone insured, both the employed and unemployed, because the money to invest in your health can be deducted from tax,” added Mini.
Managing director of the Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa, Katlego Mothudi, highlighted that the intention of their project is to ensure that access to required medical attention for citizens is affordable and without heavy financial burdens.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill and the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill are both set to go through their final stages, therefore, encouraging private sectors to contribute to the National Health Insurance.
“The private sector has a lot to offer and must now contribute towards supporting efforts to get moving with NHI. There is no need to re-invent the wheel when we can collaborate to make this work for the greater population of the country,” added Ali Hamdulay, chairman of the Board of Healthcare Funders.
Though it sounds like a good initiative, the sustainability of the project is still questionable with free higher education currently being implemented.
Are you glad that SA will implement this project? Let us know about your views by emailing koketsor@caxton.co.za
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