Solidarity says ready to challenge NHI in court
Trade union Solidarity says South Africa does not have the financial resources to support the implementation of the National Health Insurance.
Parliament passed the controversial NHI Bill on Tuesday.
The bill was first introduced to Parliament in 2019 and will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence before President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to sign it into law.
The NHI seeks to achieve universal health coverage for all South Africans.
“Government claims that NHI will enhance healthcare and that South African citizens will have equal access to quality healthcare,” says the trade union’s Peirru Marx.
“This is however not the case as NHI will aim to nationalise private healthcare, we simply do not have financial resources to support the NHI. Research has shown that we are understaffed in the medical sector, but our government continues to insist on pushing through this law.”
Marx says their legal team is ready to take the government to court if the bill is signed into law.
“The ANC needs to repair and maintain infrastructure, address staff shortages and enhance patient care at government facilities. The NHI Bill will not correct mismanagement, corruption and the history of abuse of power of the current government.”
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