NHI public hearings to be held in KZN
'Quality health care should not only be the preserve of those who are affluent. NHI will ensure that all the people of South Africa will have equitable access to health care,' said MEC Simelane-Zulu
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has called for public participation in upcoming hearings on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill set to take place in the province this month.
Simelane-Zulu was speaking at a community outreach programme at Mbongolwane in eShowe last week.
One of the hearings will be held in the uMkhanyakude District on 22 November.
‘Quality health care should not only be the preserve of those who are affluent. NHI will ensure that all the people of South Africa will have equitable access to health care,’ said MEC Simelane-Zulu.
She described the current two-tier health care system as exclusionary, with 84% of the population using public clinics and hospitals, yet the bulk of the country’s doctors, dentists and specialists work in the private health care sector.
‘It is very important for us as government to engage with our communities and make our fellow compatriots understand what NHI is.
‘The feedback that we have received has been extremely positive. People are upbeat and excited that government is seeking ways to improve the quality of health care services, and to bring services closer to them,’ she said.
She also encouraged the public to make written submissions on the Bill before
29 November.
‘We are currently distributing forms that must be filled in and submitted to Parliament. The public can write on a normal page, by hand and express their thoughts. These submissions will then be sent to Parliament,’ the MEC said.
The NHI is a health financing system that will pool funds to provide access to quality affordable personal health services for all regardless of their financial status.
According to the Department of Health, private medical schemes will continue to exist, but their role will change to provide cover for services not reimbursable by the NHI Fund.
‘The government is planning to stop subsidising medical aid members, especially government workers and private health care service providers, and use that money to fund the NHI,’ Deputy Director General for NHI in KZN, Mfowethu Zungu, said during a media briefing in Empangeni recently.
Written submissions on the Bill can be emailed to vmajalamba@parliament.gov.za or faxed to 086 694327.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
