NHI won't spell end of medical schemes sector: minister

Deputy Health Minister Gwen Ramokgopa has given a strong signal that the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI) will not spell an end to the medical schemes sector‚ a spectre feared by many middle-class consumers who have opted to pay for private medical care rather than deal with the uneven quality of services in the state sector.

By Tamar Kahn

21 Aug 2013

"The medical schemes sector will still be with us for a while‚" said Ramokgopa on the sidelines of the 14th annual Board of Healthcare Funders' conference.

"The government's plans to introduce NHI would not preclude anyone from continuing to purchase private health cover‚" she said.

"If people would like to buy additional products beyond what the (NHI) caters for to they will be free to do so‚" she said.

She told reporters that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi would present the White Paper on NHI to the Cabinet "soon"‚ but declined to be drawn on a date.

The policy document is eagerly awaited‚ as it has been exactly two years since the government published its Green Paper on NHI (in August 2011). The White Paper is the next step in policy development before enabling legislation can be drafted.

Ramokgopa said the delay had been necessary to ensure adequate consultation with stakeholders and other government departments.

"We are in discussions with treasury regarding the exact date when people will start to contribute (to the NHI fund)‚" she said.