Lesufi asks Ramaphosa to sign NHI Bill

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill sitting on his desk, telling supporters it will improve the lives of the most vulnerable.

The Bill – which aims to provide free universal health care to all South Africans – has been criticised by some who claim it will collapse the private medical care industry and the health services.

The Bill was passed by the National Council of Provinces late last year, and is awaiting Ramaphosa’s signature. He joked during his State of the Nation Address in February he was going through it and was “looking for a pen”.

The Bill is a big talking point in campaigns ahead of 29 May polls.

Speaking in Diepsloot, north of Joburg, this week, Lesufi said residents often had to travel far to get quality health care. He said the NHI would ease this stress and urged the president to sign the Bill. “The health insurance is very simple: no-one must be denied access to medical assistance because they don’t have medical aid. Anyone should be allowed to go to any institution and get medical assistance,” he said.

“That is the future we want to create. We are asking our president to sign the NHI Bill so that it can be a reality.”

Meanwhile, the health department has opened 47 corruption cases against officials since January last year. Of these, 15 were in the Eastern Cape.

Responding to a written parliamentary question, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said the cost of corruption was R2.8 million in the Free State and R1.2 million in Limpopo. –