Transforming South Africa’s healthcare: the National Health Insurance Act’s promise of equity for all
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Act aims to create a unified, fair, and affordable healthcare system that provides equal access to quality care for all citizens, regardless of income or location. This transformative reform addresses current inequalities...
Economists explain how the NHI can work in South Africa
Economists express concerns about the viability of South Africa's National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, citing the government's struggle to secure funding and the potential dismantling of existing medical schemes, which are already under strain. Economists have...
Bad news about National Health Insurance in South Africa
Government spending on healthcare in South Africa has decreased significantly in recent years, with the National Health Insurance (NHI) plans facing challenges due to prioritization of debt servicing over essential services. In recent years, government spending on...
Government reaffirms commitment to NHI amid renewed collaboration efforts
President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirms the Government’s commitment to National Health Insurance (NHI) with a renewed focus on collaboration with the private sector, aiming to ensure equitable, accessible, and affordable quality healthcare for all South Africans, while...
South Africa implements vaping tax to address youth vaping epidemic and illicit tobacco trade
South Africa has taken bold steps to tackle the rising prevalence of youth vaping and the surge in illicit tobacco trade by implementing an excise tax on vaping products. The new policy, which was enacted on June 1, 2023, imposes a flat excise duty rate of 2.90 rand...
Ramaphosa enacts landmark NHI Bill for equitable healthcare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the NHI Bill into law, aiming to provide equal access to healthcare, reduce disparities, and tackle poverty. The NHI seeks to make healthcare more affordable and efficient. Implementation will be gradual, involving both public...
Tax hikes ahead for NHI funding
The National Department of Health confirms impending tax hikes to fund the NHI scheme in South Africa, pending President Cyril Ramaphosa's approval. NHI's successful implementation hinges on securing adequate funding, which remains a challenge. The National...
National Health Security Office shares Thailand’s experience in managing health financing with South Africa
From March 11th to 15th, 2024, the National Health Security Office has organized a five-day intensive course on Thailand's experience in managing health financing and health service delivery at the district level for Universal Health Coverage. The participants were...
Experts call for higher sugar taxes
Sugar-laden drinks are linked to obesity and other chronic illnesses. Many countries have implemented sugar taxes on soft drinks, but the WHO says the levels are too low to make a significant difference.The Guardian article titled The cost of dealing with disease is...
South Africa national department of health mandates free health services for pregnant women including foreign nationals
The national department of health has taken decisive action by issuing a circular to all health facilities, mandating the provision of free healthcare services to all pregnant women and children under the age of six, regardless of their nationality or status in South...
African countries are making the transition from donor-funded HIV programmes to government-led initiatives
African countries are witnessing a transition from donor funding to domestic resource mobilization for their response to HIV. This article summarizes various studies on the public financing of HIV programmes in many African countries to explain the shift from...
South Africa National Health Insurance bill slated
Despite facing strong opposition from various stakeholders, the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill has been considered and approved by the Portfolio Committee on Health in South Africa. The bill was initially presented to Parliament in August 2019 and subsequently...
President Ramaphosa affirms government’s commitment to NHI for universal healthcare access.
Addressing the Presidential Health Summit, Ramaphosa emphasizes prioritising funding and pooling resources to ensure quality healthcare services for all citizens.President Cyril Ramaphosa has affirmed the government's determination to proceed with the implementation...
South Africa intensifying efforts to implement NHI, says Ramaphosa.
President Ramaphosa reaffirms commitment to improving healthcare in South Africa by endorsing the implementation of the NHI. Efforts include enhancing clinic quality and providing superior care for all citizens, regardless of financial capacityPresident Cyril...
New financing agreement to boost South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination program and health system
On 13 June, 2022, the World Bank Group approved a 454.4 million euro (ZAR 7.6 billion or $480 million) loan for South Africa’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Project. South Africa implemented a robust vaccination program and as of June 13, 2022, over 36.4 million...