Netcare supports NHI
They plan to spend R800 million on its hospitals this year.
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Netcare, South Africa's large hospital group, noted in its annual
report that it supported the objectives of the proposed National Health
Insurance scheme.
However, the group also identified certain obstacles and challenges facing
the scheme's implementation.
"We recognize the biggest stumbling block in implementing the NHI and other
reforms are resource and funding shortages," said the Chief Executive of
Netcare, Richard Friedland.
"The funding challenge exacerbated by the historical under spending in the
public sector and the significant burden of disease in South Africa grows more
pressing with the widening revenue deficit as recessionary pressures contract
the national fiscus."
Netcare said that it intended spending R800 million on expanding its existing
hospitals in order to meet the growing demands for hospital bed and services in
the country.
In an environment that sees South Africa moving towards a public-private
partnership in terms of healthcare, Netcare is already part of the process.
The group is nearing the completion of the first phase of its Lesotho
public-private partnership through the building of three clinics - in Likotsi,
Qoaling and Mabote.
An operational hospital in Lesotho is expected to be up and running by next
September and will cost Netcare over R1 billion. The hospital will boast 452
beds.
At present, Netcare provides 8766 hospital beds - 7% of South Africa's
total.
More beds are expected to be added with the building of the Waterfall
Hospital on the Midrand.
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