Question NW420 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

The implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) as a mechanism towards realizing universal health coverage (UHC) in South Africa is based on a structured, phased approach. A strategic part of the phased implementation includes proactive and ongoing engagements with various healthcare professional associations and groupings directed at providing them with clear information on the intentions of the policy and how the envisaged reforms are intended to contribute to overall health system sustainability.

The National Department of Health has undertaken study tours, including engaging with multilateral and bilateral partners, on the path that other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Thailand, Taiwan, and Canada, have taken towards implementing UHC reforms. Even in these countries there was anxiety among healthcare professionals concerned with changes around reimbursement mechanisms (i.e., changes from fee for service to capitation systems). To address such anxieties, it is specifically the reason why the Department is deliberately adopting a phased approach to the roll-out of NHI, as well as continuing to actively engage healthcare professionals through various channels and engagement platforms to provide all concerned stakeholders, not just healthcare professionals, with key information on the elements outlined in the NHI Bill and why they are important.

Emphasis is towards adopting a co-creation approach between the Department and stakeholders, including healthcare professionals. It is through this approach that the Department intends to address the perceived medical and specialist skills drain in the healthcare sector associated with the planned implementation of NHI.

END.