The objectives of the National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation have considerable merit, but if the NHI is to deliver on its mandate of providing essential health care to all South Africans, infrastructure at private and public hospitals must be improved and developed.

Though the NHI will not manage hospitals, clinics or the practices of other health-care professionals — instead contracting with practitioners to provide these services to South Africans — the public health system is already constrained and cannot continue with business as usual. Many public hospitals and clinics would be forced to close due to practical infrastructure breakdown if the minimum operational requirements of the infrastructure unit support systems were enforced...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.