There seem to be a new wave in Africa health as South Africa follow the likes of Rwanda to put in place robust health insurance for her citizens. South Africa government has launched a new policy to restructure the current national health insurance policy which has been heavily criticised by its citizens.
The current NHI is two-tiered, with a relatively large proportion of funding allocated through medical schemes, various hospital care plans and out of pocket payments. This current funding arrangement provides cover to private patients who have purchased a benefit option with a scheme of their choice or as a result of their employment conditions. It only benefits those who are employed and are subsidised by their employers – both the State and the private sector.
The other portion is funded through the fiscus and is mainly for public sector users. This means that those with medical scheme cover have a choice of providers operating in the private sector which is not extended to the rest of the population. This arrangement is deemed to be inequitable, with the privileged few having disproportionate access to health services.
The new NHI entails major changes in the service delivery structures, administrative and management systems. It is aimed at introducing an innovative system of healthcare financing with far reaching consequences on the health of South Africans. It will ensure that everyone has access to appropriate, efficient and quality health services. It will be phased-in over a period of 14 years.
If the NHI policy is well implemented it is believed that it will usher a new era in South Africa healthcare addressing some injustices of the past. Recently, the hospitals and specialists were targeted to be driving up cost of healthcare because the hospital groups seem to have formed “an oligarchy and wielded market power”. In addition, there was no price structure for healthcare services, allowing providers to charge at any rate they pleased.
Source : africahealthitnews.com
Tags : NHI, national health, africa health, health road map
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