AfriForum insists on proper consultation on NHI

18 September 2024  

The civil rights organisation AfriForum calls on the President and the Minister of Health to conduct the current consultation process on National Health Insurance (NHI) in earnest. This entails that consultations that are done as part of the Minister’s nationwide roadshow must be better communicated, more stakeholders must be involved, and that it must bring about real change following the input of civil society and the business sector.

The Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, announced almost two months ago that he would be undertaking a national roadshow to gather information about South Africans’ needs regarding NHI. Since then, only a handful of events have taken place as part of this roadshow, and the Minister has instead only reiterated how determined he is to continue with the implementation of NHI. When asked by AfriForum, the Minister’s Spokesperson was unable to even provide a roadshow schedule. President Cyril Ramaphosa also recently announced that he will meet with business organisations to discuss their objections to NHI. AfriForum emphasises the importance of also consulting with civil organisations, as objections from that front cannot simply be ignored.

According to Louis Boshoff, Health Officer of AfriForum, the government often uses discussion opportunities such as these to appease opponents, try to convince them of their policy and not really pay attention to the input that is delivered. “These consultations will be measured by their results, not by the motives and the Minister’s cheap talk,” explains Boshoff.

Concerns about NHI extend even beyond the borders of South Africa. The credit rating agency Fitch last week listed NHI as one of the main threats to the stability of the South African economy. The recent refusal of the majority of business organisations to sign the presidential health pact, in which NHI is presented as a core objective, confirms this threat.

Boshoff insists that while AfriForum will always be prepared to enter into discussions with the government on behalf of its 300 000 members, mere discussions do not automatically ensure a successful outcome – especially if after the conclusion of such discussions the government just continues on as if no opposition was presented at all.

“AfriForum’s member base includes patients and health professionals in both the private and public sectors, and from all quarters the opposition to NHI is very clear – these voices cannot go unheard,” concludes Boshoff.

Issued by Louis Boshoff, Health Officer, AfriForum, 18 September 2024