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 to 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...
Why South Africa needs National Health Insurance, in Nicholas Crisp’s own words
Nicholas Crisp-the Director General of Health, argues that given the degree of inequalities the South Africa is currently facing, a National Health Insurance is critical to ensure that all South African access healthcare without the financial hardship. He...
South Africa’s new National Health Insurance is set to be implemented in stages says the health minister
The Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla recently participated in a written parliamentary Q&A where he said that the South Africa’s new National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme is set to be introduced in several stages and not all at once. The minister said, It is...
South African government using COVID-19 as a jump pad for the National Health Insurance, says the Minister of Health
The Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla said that the Ministry has set aside funds for national health insurance infrastructure projects in the coming year. Although spending on the National Health Insurance (NHI) decreased over the last two years as the government...
The costs of South Africa’s National Health Insurance are yet to be calculated, says Finance Minister
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says the government has not updated the cost model of the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) since the 2019/2020 financial year. Responding in a written parliamentary question and answer session, Godongwana said this...
Government proposes payroll tax and other surcharges to fund South Africa’s National Health Insurance Scheme
The National Department of Health in March presented its proposal to mobilise additional resources to fund the new National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which include the introduction of new taxes. In a presentation to Parliament on Tuesday 29 March, the Department...
Government says new taxes are needed to fund South Africa’s coming National Health Insurance
The National Health Insurance (NHI) Deputy Director General Nicholas Crisp presented the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Bill to the Parliament the first week of June, 2022. In his speech he indicated that the government will ultimately need to collect...