Today, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, and the National Department of Health Deputy Director-General for the National Health Insurance, Dr Anban Pillay, announced the tabling of the National Health Insurance Bill.
In its response, the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), the representative organisation for private hospital groups that includes Netcare, Mediclinic, Life Healthcare, and the National Hospital Network expresses its appreciation to the Minister and the officials at the Department of Health who have produced the proposed legislation after many years of effort.
According to the Chairman of HASA, Dr Biren Valodia, the organisation has long awaited the NHI Bill so that it can engage in-depth and in detail with the proposed future of healthcare in the country.
“We believe we have the basis for an ongoing and robust discussion on universal healthcare. We note the Bill will now be debated in Parliament and there will be a period of public participation. We wish to thank the Minister and his team for tabling the Bill and for inviting the views of the wide array of stakeholders in the healthcare sector, both private and public, which he has given his assurances will be carefully considered,” says Dr Valodia.
“HASA, therefore, commits to engagement with the Bill that is grounded in our belief in collaboration, and a belief that we can collectively overcome the challenges we all face. We are South African, after all, and defeating challenges – however daunting is what we do. We are committed to, and supportive of, the core purpose of the legislation, which is to ensure access to quality healthcare for all South Africans. HASA will continue to contribute in any way possible and to provide our views in all available forums, ” says Dr Valodia.
