Health department clears the air over NHI implementation

The National Department of Health has ensured that no tender process will go out as part of the recently adopted National Health Insurance. It has instead explained that the NHI is a voluntary registration process by private or public service providers.

NHI IS A VOLUNTARY PROCESS

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This came to light during when parliaments Select Committee on Health and Social Services posed questions to the department.

“The NHI will enter into contracts with private and public health service providers as well as private health practitioners for the provision of services.”

The committee further highlighted the lack of staff and the poor delivery of healthcare services currently at public healthcare facilities and told the department that the poor state of the delivery of healthcare services will negatively affect the implementation of the NHI.”

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NHI TO BE FINALISED IN OCTOBER

“The NHI is a fund with which the government will buy healthcare services for South Africans from healthcare service providers in the public and private health sectors. The NHI fund will be generated through taxes and special contributions. It will ensure that every South African is entitled to free healthcare services as the fund will cover the costs for all.”

The NHI Bill still be put through provincial briefings and public hearings before being finalised in October.

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