The NHI in the times of Corona Virus
20 March 2020
It is sometimes tempting to focus on the tree, rather than the forest that is growing. In this instance, the tree would be the Covid-19 and perhaps the forest, the NHI. Before I am accused of writing in parables, let me put it in policy terms.
As everyone is rightly consumed by the immediacy of the Covid-19 crisis, the long-term goals of building a quality healthcare system that restores our collective humanity may be forgotten, at least for a little while. This could be dangerous because as a matter of normal course; healthcare services, especially hospital services, are often offered on an emergency basis.
In Gauteng, we have a clear attitude to the Covid-19: we will tackle it head on with all the skill, might and resources at our disposal. There is no room for failure and we shall win. And yet, there is an important message we must keep alive in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Covid-19: we must continue to work even faster and smarter to improve all the other health outcomes.
The Covid-19 crisis can serve as an opportunity to accelerate the improvements we so desperately need to improve the quality of our health system. Our response therefore must simultaneously address key issues such as funding, pricing, human capital and infrastructure in a manner that helps us get closer to the objectives of section 27 of our Constitution and our Five-Year Plan.