Concerns about the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) being introduced too hastily have been calmed in the last few days by comments from both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health.
Until recently the ANC said it aimed to introduce the supporting legislation for NHI by April. However the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan did not allocate money to the design and implementation of NHI in the medium-term budget. He said the focus of health spending would fall on fixing the State's health service.
It would appear that the Department of Health has, with the blessing of President Jacob Zuma, prioritized a scaled up HIV/Aids treatment campaign.
‘While we recognize that change must come, we are relieved that it will be done in a more considered manner’, said Graham Anderson, Principal Officer of Profmed.