Cyril Ramaphosa says NHI is on its way — whether you like it or not
Addressing the NUM congress, the president says the National Health Insurance Fund will bring stability to the country’s stressed healthcare system
The country’s health system is in a crisis, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa. He has confirmed fears expressed by experts, activists and unions that the system has collapsed and contradicted Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s strong opposition to the sentiment. On Tuesday, Motsoaledi said government health services were not falling apart as criticism against his leadership grew, with union federation Cosatu calling on Ramaphosa to fire him. Ramaphosa was addressing the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) congress in Boksburg on Friday when he said the National Health Insurance (NHI) Fund would bring stability to the stressed system. He said the universal healthcare coverage meant the financially fit must help subsidise those who are not, and that was the trend across the world. "Our job as the governing alliance, as the ANC, is to make sure all South Africans have access to the best healthcare. Right now our hospitals are burdened and our healthcare is in crisis, and we believ...
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