Govt not incapable of NHI

» Health reform aims to address apartheid legacy.

- FOSTER MOHALE

I read articles titled: "NHI: What about critical meds" and the editorial titled: "Can NHI provide meds for 9m?" published in The Citizen on 29 August.

Both posed not only discriminating, but self-interested questions on whether the National Health Insurance (NHI) can provide essential medication for nine million South Africans who merely constitute 14.2% of the population.

The motive behind these questions is dubious. One needs to ask who provides critical medicines to the 54 million people who solely depend on the underfunded public health system.

It is incorrect or disingenuous to suggest that, under the NHI, there is no guarantee current patients on prescribed minimum benefits will continue to get the same benefits, life-saving treatment in particular.

According to the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 and its regulations, all medical schemes have to cover the costs related to the diagnosis, treatment and care of any life-threatening emergency medical condition, a defined set of 270 diagnoses and prescribed chronic conditions.