MEC Masuku promises to improve healthcare
ANC wants to have the National Health Insurance working for the people.
The African National Congress Zonal 15 hosted the National Health Insurance (NHI) indaba addressed by Health MEC Bandile Masuku at the Lord Khanyile Community Hall on October 26.
The meeting was aimed at educating the community about NHI and its full blown implementation by 2026.
After the presentations, members of the public were given an opportunity to engage the MEC on the matter.
Event coordinator Dr Honours Mkhari said the NHI was about universal health coverage, propagated by the resolution of the United Nations.
“The National Health Insurance is a direct response to the constitution that compels the government to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of access to health care,” said Mkhari.
Masuku said the implementation of the NHI will ensure that all South Africans are entitled to access quality healthcare services and facilities at any time.
“In Gauteng we don’t have a problem of healthcare access. However, we have a problem with accessing quality healthcare service. We say our people are entitled to quality healthcare.
Masuku said people have to know their HIV status, so that those who are positive must take therapy, and access the ARVs.
“Currently the country spends 8 % of its GDP on health. In Gauteng, the health budget is almost R51-billion,”said Masuku.
Masuku also talked about the need to revamp all hospitals and clinics to ensure patients received quality treatment.
“As the government we have taken a decision that will not wait for the NHI to be fully implemented in 2026 to improve our standards. We acknowledge we have ageing infrastructure which we have to modernise,” said Masuku.
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