Medical association says the NHI Bill is not addressing key pillars in solving health care issues

VAAL TRIANGLE - The South African Medical Association has voiced concerns over the National Health Insurance Bill, asserting that it doesn’t address key healthcare issues. Although the bill has been passed by the National Council of Provinces, awaiting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval, SAMA’s chairperson, Mvuyisi Mzukwa, says that the healthcare sector’s readiness to fulfill the bill’s mandate is in doubt. He says that SAMA supports universal health coverage, but laments the lack of consultation with the association during the bill’s formulation.

Meanwhile, the South African Health Professionals Collaboration urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to send the National Health Insurance Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration. The organisation cites concerns over the bill’s lack of clarity and potential impact on healthcare quality. Quality, access limitations, treatment protocols, governance, corruption risks, professional mobility, training, medico-legal litigation, and provincial impact are additional worries. They argue the bill, particularly Section 33, is unconstitutional and threatens the private healthcare sector. The collaboration calls for Ramaphosa’s intervention to improve NHI for all citizens.

PHOTO: (Supplied)