New health bill roadshow visits Mkholombe
The National Health Insurance will narrow the gap between the rich and poor, in terms of standards of healthcare.
The KZN Legislature led by the chairperson of the health portfolio, Nomakiki Majola held a public meeting to discuss the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) bill in Mkholombe on Tuesday this week.
Managers and officials of hospitals in the Ugu District also attended.
Majola said the NHI will offer a better life for all South Africans, without looking at their earning capacity.
According to the legislature, there will be a single pool of healthcare funding for private and public healthcare providers-alike.
When people visit healthcare facilities, no fees will be charged because the NHI will cover the cost of their medical care in the same manner that medical aids do for their members.
NHI will narrow the gap between the rich and poor in terms of standards of healthcare.
Nozipho Khuzwayo, adviser to the legislature presented the bill. She mentioned that funds will be sourced from taxes and government.
“Instead of giving the money to the health department, it will be transferred straight to the NHI.”
The community was given a chance to comment and ask questions.
Sindi Yeni said a day is not sufficient to accept the bill as they need to conduct their own research.
“I think that this bill should also include funds for people who get injured in hospitals.”
Yeni also said that on a number of occasions people have agreed to certain bills, however unbeknown to them they are opening a loophole for money to be misused.
Community members raised various issues about other health challenges.
One member said she is a community health worker but not permanently employed and asked if the health department could hire them.
However, Majola said that it was not a day to complain and raise issues pertaining to the health department but about the bill.
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