Healthcare professionals believe NHI ‘step in right direction’
Some healthcare professionals say the National Health Insurance will grant all South Africans’ access to high-quality healthcare.
The controversial bill for universal healthcare was passed in the National Assembly recently.
Some political parties and groups have raised concern over issues like the cost of the proposed legislation, and whether it would spell an end to the private healthcare sector.
But UKZN's Doctor Zamasomi Meyiwa-Luvuno, who is an expert in public health, is pleased with the progress being made.
She says, in its current form, the bill simply means that everyone should have a full package of healthcare services needed without breaking the bank.
"It also means that anywhere you are, whatever need that you have that is health-related, you should have access which is really a problem right now when you look at the way our health systems are structured.
“Health facilities that are specialised in nature are only in urban areas. When you look at the rural areas people don't have access. Meanwhile or constitution says everyone has the right to health services. You should not have to find yourself having to pay extra because you need health services," says Meyiwa-Luvuno.
Meyiwa-Luvuno says healthcare industries would need to revisit their business and funding models.
"I think what they need to do maybe is to relook their business model and funding models if they want to survive. I'm sure they can still survive because they are people with means and resources, they'll still be able to pay."
