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AFROCENTRIC SUPPORTS UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE BUT BELIEVES GREATER CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED ON NHI

AfroCentric as an industry stakeholder and healthcare giant, supports the principles that underpin the movement towards universal health coverage in South Africa through an integrated health system that offers quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.

As a purpose driven organisation, we acknowledge that South Africa's healthcare system remains unequal, where 86 percent of the population relies on a heavily burdened public system, which is often under resourced, while only 14 percent benefit from private healthcare which also has its limitations.  Acknowledging the fragmented nature of our health system, it is imperative that we collectively work towards enhancing affordability at a higher level of quality for all.

However, since the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill was first introduced in 2019, no material changes have been made to the Bill despite critical comments, consultations and engagements with the medical profession, private healthcare industry, medical aid schemes and other stakeholders as well as having potential legal challenges.

AfroCentric believes the NHI Bill, its current format, which President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign into law on Wednesday 15 May, is not aligned to the principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution and does not reflect the healthcare industry’s comments and concerns.

NHI is a key vehicle in the journey towards moving the country towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

It is AfroCentric’s view that the NHI will only succeed if a collaborative and integrated approach is used. AfroCentric, utilising its diverse set of skills and expertise, will continue to proactively pursue and advocate for a fair, transparent and collaborative transition through partners like the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) to facilitate a phased implementation of a health system that is tailored to the needs of South Africa.