Despite a campaign from various quarters to undermine the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI), Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize said it is “not a monster coming to destroy everyone”.

He told the Hospital Association of South Africa (Hasa) conference being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre that the NHI – aimed to provide universal health coverage for all South Africans – will be phased in, with a full implementation deadline of 2026.

The money Bill that will govern its funding will be tabled when the time is right. “There will be an estimated shortfall of R30bn in 2026, which Treasury is working on. It is a fallacy to postulate that NHI will bankrupt the country,” Mkhize said.

To read the full article online click here.