Africa News - South Africa approves national health insurance white paper
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jan 2016
South Africa’s cabinet has approved the long-awaited white paper on the National Health Insurance (NHI), which will provide universal health coverage once implemented.
The white paper states that the NHI will be implemented over a 14-year period and in three phases. The first phase extends from 2012/13 to 2016/17, where pilots already started in 2012. The second phase will extend from 2017/18 to 2019/2021. The third and final phase of implementation will take place over the last four years and will focus on ensuring that the NHI Fund is fully functional.
The process towards the phased implementation of the NHI starts with the finalisation of the white paper and the subsequent consultation processes. The finalised white paper will be used to inform the drafting of the NHI Bill, which will have to go through both Cabinet and Parliamentary approval. There will also be a process of public consultation on the NHI Bill.
According to reports, the NHI seeks to transform the South African healthcare system with emphasis on the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases. It also aims to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all South Africans based on their health needs, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
The cost of implementing the NHI is projected to ZAR225 billion (US$14.9 billion) by 2025, the reports said.
ZAR1 = US$0.07