Physician, Heal Thyself

LAST MONTH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE Health Professions Council of South Africa, Dr Kgosi Letlape, described medical aid schemes as “a crime against humanity” and suggested they should be abolished as they cannot co-exist with the government’s proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

- Sue Barkly

Letlape was speaking to academics and medical professionals during a public discussion at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on whether the NHI white paper meets the human rights objectives of the Constitution.

He said private medical aids and the Medical Schemes Act would have to be abolished if the NHI is to provide universal health care access for all citizens.

“With half of South Africa’s health professionals catering exclusively to only 17% of the population on medical aid schemes, the entire setup is a crime against humanity and should be abolished,” he declared.

He went on to note that the privileged few who have access to medical aid – including those in government who are subscribed to it – refuse to engage, saying “hands offmy medical aid”.

But, he argued, universal healthcare in South Africa is possible.

“The health plan under apartheid was one of the best in the world. South African whites had health for all. By 1967 they had a system that could give somebody a heart transplant for no payment. At the point of service, there were no deductibles, the doctor was on a salary, and everyone could access health care,” he was quoted saying.