Health Ministry to Go Ahead with NHI Scheme

September 1 - The South African government reiterated its determination to go ahead with the new National Health Insurance system as quickly as possible, calling on the private healthcare sector to assist in its implementation.

However, the Deputy Health Minister, Molefi Sefularo warned the private healthcare funders that the government would not wait for them and would implement the plan, regardless if assistance was forthcoming or not.

Speaking to the Board of Healthcare Funders at Sun City this week, Sefularo warned that it was his department's highest priority to see the NHI introduced in South Africa as soon as possible.

"We have made it clear that we are determined to implement our 10 point plan and this health plan of action with speed," he said.

Sefularo warned that the private healthcare sector in the country was "likely to implode because they are not sustainable". However, he acknowledged the wealth of knowledge and expertise that these private funds share and how valuable they would be in implementing the NHI.

Sefularo outlined some of his department's plans, including the introduction of the new system in a phased format to allow for legislation to reviewed along the way.

The private healthcare sector has been accused of "fiddling at the edges" when it comes to producing real proposals for changes in the country's health system that would suit the needs of all citizens. Suggestions such as top up cover for shortfalls in the NHI package and other such ideas did not address the real needs of South Africa's medical emergency.

"I do not think BHF are thinking innovatively enough," said Professor Di McIntyre, speaking from the Health Economics Unit at UCT.