(Ecofin Agency) - In the South African health system, there is an access problem and a huge disparity between the quality of care provided in the public and the private sectors. As a result, the government wants to introduce a national health insurance fund to establish equity.

South Africa's National Assembly has passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, the parliament announced on Monday, June 12.  

 The NHI Bill aims to ensure universal access to healthcare services in the country, by creating a National Health Insurance Fund and defining its powers, functions, and governance structures. This Fund will also enable the purchase of healthcare services for all registered users.

The bill will also create mechanisms for the fair, effective, and efficient use of the fund's resources to meet the health needs of users and to prevent or limit undesirable, unethical, and illegal practices, a briefing note indicates. 

The NHI Bill was tabled in Parliament and presented to the Health Portfolio Committee on August 8, 2019. 

Despite having one of the best healthcare systems in the Southern African region, South Africa’s population covered by a medical aid scheme has not changed drastically between 2002 and 2022. Over the said period, the percentage rose just from 15.9% to 16.1%, with over 70% of households using public health facilities, according to the government.

According to International Citizen Insurance, 80% of doctors work in the private sector, neglecting the public system, which is constantly short of resources.

By 2030, South Africa intends to guarantee access to good quality health services provided by both the public and private sectors to all citizens and residents, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Charlène N’dimon (Intern)