Roadshows to educate residents on NHI bill

In order to encourage input and recommendations from residents on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba has embarked on roadshows to unpack the bill guided by the theme ‘Towards achieving a universal health coverage and a long and healthy life for the people in Limpopo’.
The roadshows commenced at Seshego Hospital on Friday where Ramathuba explained the bill to medical professionals, traditional healers, community leaders and religious organisations.
According to her, the NHI would bridge a gap between the poor and the rich in terms of access to quality medical health services. She emphasised that government was on a mission to find a health system that would provide for everyone without a need for medical aid cards.
She added that not everyone can afford medical insurance hence the proposed NHI will cater for all residents.
“The NHI will subsidise the poor. The system will permit the state to collect money on behalf of the citizens. The NHI is for government to put systems in place that would ensure that illegal foreign nationals don’t exhaust our medication. The private sector is crying because once the system comes into effect many people will withdraw from their expensive medical services,” Ramathuba explained.
She outlined that illegal foreign nationals will only be provided with emergency medical services, notifiable conditions and basic health services for children.
Although the province is still faced with poor health infrastructure, Ramathuba indicated that the department was currently fixing the facilities to be on NHI standard. She encouraged residents to make inputs and suggestions on a form that was given to attendees and concluded by saying the recommendations would be reviewed by the legislative chamber.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za