NHI won’t be implemented overnight: Phaahla
Health Minister Joe Phaahla says there's still a long way to go before the National Health Insurance becomes a reality.
He says some details still need to be thrashed out as the NHI Bill provides only a framework.
"What it envisages is a progressive movement. It is not going to happen tomorrow. When the president signs it, there will be those details that must be worked out, and when the fund gets established and starts to build capacity and covers various baskets of services, that is when it is fully functional, and those who are not excluded then it will become only complimentary."
On Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation Address that he would sign it into law soon.
READ: Ramaphosa to sign NHI Bill into law 'soon'
The bill, which seeks to achieve universal healthcare for all South Africans, was passed by Parliament last year.
Phaahla adds that he is not oblivious to the fact that many South Africans are worried about how NHI will be rolled out.
"What we want to assure South Africans is that we have come a long way. The intentions here are really to make sure that South Africa can also join a whole community of nations who have gone the route of making sure that their citizens have universal health coverage and that we stop fragmentation."
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