National Health Insurance 'a priority'
31 August 2009
Implementing South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI) will be one of the government's priorities between now and 2014, says Deputy Health Minister Molefi Sefularo.
Among the government's other priorities are reviewing the country's medicines policy, strengthening research and development, improving the overall quality of health services, and improving human resources and planning.
Sefularo was addressing the annual conference of the Board of Healthcare Funders at the Sun City resort in North West province on Sunday.
"We have, since December 2007, consulted broadly on matters of health, as the resolutions of the ruling party direct government to make health a priority," Sefularo said.
"The result of these consultations, research and popular campaigns is that we have been able to identify critical challenges for the public and private health sector.
"We have made it clear that we are determined to implement our ten point plan and this health plan of action with speed.
"We have also stated clearly that a lot of our work will be implemented within the context of the NHI," he said.
The Board of Healthcare Funders supported the National Health Insurance scheme, which was based on the principle of "universal coverage" for all South Africans.
"Debates about universal coverage are neither new nor unique to South Africa," Sefularo said.
"These debates should produce concrete proposals that will result in the improvement of the health status of all South Africans."
Sapa
