NHI follows global trend
World Health Organisation hails agreement as world’s most comprehensive commitment
IN SEPTEMBER, the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize, along with dozens of health ministers, heads of state and health advocates, participated at the UN high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
UHC is a system of healthcare financing that ensures everyone can obtain the quality health services they need without facing financial hardship.
At the meeting in New York, member states adopted a political declaration that recognises the importance of UHC as the cornerstone to achieving sustainable development globally.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) hailed the agreement as the world’s most comprehensive set of health commitments to be adopted at this level. The declaration builds on the WHO’s “triple billion goals”, which aims to extend UHC to one billion more people by 2023.
The UHC declaration also designated December 12 as Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day).
UHC Day 2019 is aptly themed “Keep the promises” and calls on all countries to deliver on their promises made in September of establishing a strong, equitable health system that truly leaves no-one behind.
As South Africa embarks on the National Health Insurance (NHI) to achieve everyone’s right to access healthcare, UHC Day 2019 provides a valuable opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to discuss how to move forward collectively on South Africa’s promise of UHC.
The Department of Health and the WHO are hosting a National Colloquium on Universal Health Coverage in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The colloquium brings together UHC advocates, UN health agencies, representatives of the private medical aid sector, NGO’s, citizens and partners to support the government’s efforts in keeping its promises of health as a right, not a privilege.
We will draw lessons from global and country experiences of UHC initiatives, especially on strengthening governance and financing.
As we near the end of our 25th year of democracy, we must remember that healthcare has always been an intrinsic part of our struggle for freedom.
The Freedom Charter, adopted in 1955, sets out this vision on health: “A preventive health scheme shall be run by the state… Free medical care and hospitalisation shall be provided for all…”
Our liberation movements, including the ANC and other progressive organisations, adopted a vision of healthcare in South Africa based on racial equality and human rights.
Apartheid, of course, ensured that access to healthcare services in South Africa was determined by race.
What we now see in a post-apartheid South Africa is a relatively wealthy minority, usually covered by private health insurance, accessing private health care facilities – while the majority of the the population is mostly dependent on overburdened, under-resourced public health facilities.
A family with a household income of R20000 per month will spend about R3800 on an average medical aid scheme package, which is 19% of their disposable income.
Medical aid premiums are increasing at above-inflation rates. By 2030 it is likely that this household will be spending one- third of their income on medical scheme cover. This situation is simply not sustainable and will no longer be affordable even for those on a medical scheme.
Universal health coverage – in the form of the NHI – will address these health disparities by pooling funds to provide access to quality health services for all South Africans.
This means that every South African will have a right to access comprehensive healthcare services free of charge.
Countries that have implemented universal health coverage are already seeing the benefits: healthier communities and stronger economies.
Of course, there is no “one-size-fitsall” approach, and South Africa must design its own unique path towards health.
But this much we do know: building a stronger health system will result in a healthier nation and economy.
Rooted in our struggle, history and Constitution, universal health coverage – in the form of the NHI – is one of the smartest investments that we can make.
Universal health coverage is one of the smartest investments that we can make