Zuma wants the NHI to be implemented in phases
President Jacob Zuma wants participation in the debate to the lead up of NHI implementation
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In a bid to garner support for the controversial National Health Insurance
that the government hopes to introduce in the coming year, President Jacob Zuma
called for the public to participate in the debates and study the proposals
leading up to NHI's implementation.
Zuma stressed the importance of public input so that the final product would
be the most successful there is to be had.
"Once the consultation process has started, we urge the public to study the
proposals, engage in debates and contribute resources, skills and expertise to
the final product that will emerge after consultations," said Zuma.
Zuma put the public's mind at ease that the NHI would be imposed upon
them in one swoop. He said that the government would continue to consult with
all sectors that would be affected by the changes, including health providers,
insurance companies, and workers. He also said that the National Health
Insurance would be implemented in a number of phases to allow for comprehensive
review along the way.
"The broad objective of the NHI is to put in place the necessary funding and
health service delivery mechanisms," said the president. "Our people told us
that at some clinics they are given pain killers for every ailment, as there is
nothing else that is available. A key solution would be the introduction of the
NHI system for the country."
The ANC plans to fund the initiative through government sources and a
mandatory contribution by employers and employees.
"All these funds would be placed in a single pool that would be available to
fund all healthcare facilities in the public and private health sector,"
explained Zuma. "The intention is that the contribution should be less that what
members and their employers currently pay to medical aid schemes."
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