Briefly News Explains National Health Insurance Act and What It Means for South Africans

• Surrounded by various high-ranking health officials, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law earlier this month
• A week after signing it, South Africans still have many questions about what impact this law will have on them
• Briefly News' current affairs journalist Tebogo Mokwena created a video explaining the NHI and how it affects South Africans
• The CEO of First Care Group, Dr Steven Holt, also weighed in on the National Health Insurance

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, corruption, education, service delivery protests and heritage in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

JOHANNESBURG— South Africans have had mixed reactions since President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill and enacted it as a law. Some welcomed it, and others spoke out against it. Briefly News' senior current affairs writer Tebogo Mokwena unpacked the NHI and its impact on South Africans.

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NHI explained in a simple video

Mokwena posted his explainer video on his X account, @TebogoTheScribe. In the video, Mokwena uses whiteboard animation to give an overview of the NHI Act, which Ramaphosa signed into law on 15 May.

Mokwena explains that contrary to popular belief, registered NHI users would not be allowed to walk into any private hospital and demand healthcare. He also cautioned against cancelling medical aid before the NHI is fully implemented.

He said:

"The NHI doesn't give South Africans the license to slide in and out of private healthcare. You have to follow the referral pathway. In the public healthcare system, you start at clinics, which is the first step and part of the primary healthcare level. If they aren't equipped to help, they send you to a community healthcare centre. If they can't help, they refer you to a district hospital. So private hospitals can chuck you out if you decide to wing it."

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View the video here:

First Care Group CEO on NHI

The CEO of First Care Group, Dr Steven Holt, spoke to Briefly News about the NHI.

"Many long-standing laws will need to be changed to give effect to the NHI fund. Whilst this is not impossible, affected parties seeking to prevent these changes will challenge them on all fronts. Already, political parties, the council for medical schemes, and the South African Medical Association (to mention a few) are saying they will oppose various aspects of the fund and the proposed law changes," he said.

"Perhaps most concerning is that South Africa already has a shortage of doctors and nurses. The implementation of NHI will likely worsen this situation, as many healthcare professionals will choose not to join the fund and leave South Africa for less regulated pastures."

Mmusi Maimane challenges Ramaphosa to cancel medical aid before signing NHI Bill

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Similarly, Briefly News reported that BOSA president Mmusi Maimane challenged Ramaphosa to cancel his medical aid.

Maimane issued the challenge before Ramaphosa signed the bill into law and said the president should use public healthcare facilities if he had such faith in them.

Source: Briefly News