‘No clear picture’ of how NHI will be achieved, NCOP hears
There have been mixed views put forward in the National Council of Provinces on the proposed law that seeks to introduce universal healthcare in South Africa.
The NCOP debated and voted on the contentious National Health Insurance Bill on Wednesday afternoon, nearly six months after it was passed in the National Assembly.
The NCOP's Select Committee on Health and Social Services adopted the bill last month.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, believes the majority of people support the passing of the bill.
"More of our facilities are achieving ideal status, which is a prerequisite for NHI. Although the natural disaster does hinder our progress."
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But DA MP Dennis Ryder said the implementation plan of the NHI is unclear.
"There is no picture of how a holistic picture can be achieved. There is no indication of which services would be covered by NHI, or how the poor and vulnerable will afford services that are not covered by it.
"In a place of answers, we have failed pilot projects, and talking of failure, the public participation that took place in the provinces during the NCOP was as flawed as those of the National Assembly."
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