South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged to advance the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill despite significant opposition. He signed the contentious Bill into law just before his party, the African National Congress, lost its parliamentary majority in May.
The NHI aims to overhaul the country’s two-tier healthcare system to provide universal coverage and gradually reduce the role of private health insurance, currently held by fewer than 16% of South Africans.
While supporters view the Bill as a step towards addressing apartheid-era inequalities, critics argue that the funding model is flawed and fear that corruption and budget constraints may hinder its success.
On the final day of the ANC policy meeting, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that some sections of the Bill would be implemented immediately, including forming advisory committees and updating health laws. However, he acknowledged that the full rollout would be phased over several years and might face delays due to legal challenges.