President Jacob Zuma makes speech on plans for SA Healthcare
This included the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.
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Addressing the nation on Thursday night, President Jacob Zuma said that he
had great plans for the South African health care system, including the
implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.
Zuma focused his attention on the state of the country's hospitals and
clinics and said that the new NHI scheme included an upgrading of existing
facilities and the building of new ones.
The government intends to collaborate with a number of bodies to ensure that
the deadlines for the implementation of projects are met, said Zuma.
Already, the government has entered into a partnership with the Development
Bank of Southern Africa, as well as the Industrial Development Corporation in
order to improve hospitals and provide finance for new initiatives.
"Intensive work is underway to ensure that this work is on schedule," said
Zuma. "We will also continue preparations for the establishment of a national
health insurance system."
The government's objective of launching the National Health Insurance scheme
is to create an efficient medical system that will serve all South Africans
equally.
Unlike other countries in the world where life expectancy continues to grow,
South Africa is experiencing the opposite and people are expected to live to
just below 50 on average (compared to age 60 in 1994).
Zuma said in his speech that the government is making interventions to lower
maternal mortality rates, reduce new HIV infections and effectively treat HIV
and TB."
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