WHAT IS THE NHI (NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE)?

According to the Department of health, the NHI is a health financing system that is designed to pool funds together to provide access to quality and affordable personal health services to all South Africans based on their health needs, irrespective of their socio-economic status. 

Basically, the NHI is a fund that will provide healthcare coverage for all South Africans, eliminating any fees at health facilities as the fund will cover the costs. This system functions similarly to medical aid schemes.

WHY THE NHI IS NECESSARY?

The objective of the NHI Bill is to provide universal access to quality healthcare for all South Africans, as mandated by the Constitution. The Constitution recognises healthcare as a fundamental human right, stating that “everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services. The NHI Bill seeks to achieve this by ensuring that all citizens receive the healthcare they need without financial barriers.

CONCERNS OVER PREMATURITY AND CONSTITUTIONALITY

One of the main criticisms of the NHI Bill is that it is both premature and unconstitutional. Critics argue that it restricts freedoms related to healthcare access and lacks clear assurances for medical professionals about their future roles. These concerns suggest that the Bill may fail to effectively serve South Africans from the outset, as it contains numerous errors and impractical provisions.

The role of religion to promotes equal rights: They hosted Mndluli wa Jehova(Global Christian Leadership Council) focusing on Human right Rights/Ubuntu as part of commemorating Human Rights Day.