By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Government is ready to defend its National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme in court against challenges levelled by business groups and political parties calling the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act unconstitutional.
The NHI Bill was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday amid a fierce debate over the viability of the government’s plans to introduce universal healthcare.
The government has been criticised by various sectors of society including the health and business sector for lack of capacity to manage the universal health care system.
The scheme aims to transform South Africa’s healthcare system to achieve universal coverage for health services and, through this, overcome critical socio-economic imbalances and inequities of the past.
The South African Medical Association, members of the healthcare industry, some business organisations, civil rights groups, and political parties have raised concerns about the bill’s signing in its current form.
There is a belief among many that the government will not be able to run the NHI on its own, and this could see the collapse of the country’s healthcare system.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the concerns, while saying that the government is making progress in improving the public health system.
Health Minister Joe Paahla said the government is aware that various sectors are planning to oppose the NHI in court.
“If you look at some of the constituencies of some of these organisations, you will find that they benefitted not only in terms of the lack of radical transformation in the sector since democracy, but they benefitted even from the previous dispensation and they have had the comfort of benefitting even more in the course of democracy, building even more assets.
“So, anything that threatens that comfort is going to be a challenge to some of those organisations.
“This is a real radical departure and therefore when you want to move from a comfort zone.
“There will be a lot of people who will be unhappy just from the comfort zone, people are used to you knowing a certain way of things but also there are also vested interests,” says Phaahla.
Trade union Solidarity has vowed to intensify its fight against the planned National Health Insurance (NHI).
Solidarity wants Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Phaahla to be held personally liable for the consequences should it be implemented.
“To persist with it nevertheless would be irrational,” said Dirk Hermann, Solidarity’s Chief Executive.
“Moreover, it is a violation of the ethical codes and standards these government office bearers should commit themselves to. These office bearers do indeed have the power to decide against the NHI given the strong evidence to the effect that it would be harmful to the country and its citizens.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has also vowed to challenge the NHI in court.
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube believes the implementation of the NHI will worsen the healthcare system.
“Contrary to popular belief, the NHI will not equalise our healthcare system, “she said outside the Union Buildings on Wednesday.
“In its current form, it lacks the necessary investment to provide accessible and quality healthcare as mandated by our Constitution. The notion that individuals will seamlessly access private hospitals under the NHI is a fallacy and an intentional lie peddled by the ANC.
“What we need is a comprehensive overhaul of the entire healthcare system, utilising the significant portion of our GDP allocated to healthcare, which the ANC has failed to deliver over the past three decades.”
The minister is confident that despite the looming legal challenges, his department will be able to follow the two-step implementation process of the NHI.