President Ramaphosa to sign 2nd Presidential Health Compact on Thursday amid healthcare division.
(The Post News)- President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to sign the second Presidential Health Compact on Thursday, August 22, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This initiative seeks to bolster health systems and lay the groundwork for the National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation, despite facing opposition from key stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
The initiative was launched by Ramaphosa in 2019 to establish a framework of cooperation between critical sectors in South Africa to improve health outcomes.
The 2024 Compact is the second iteration, focussing on supporting health systems and strengthening them for NHI implementation.
The boycotting groups, including Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), the South African Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC), and the South African Medical Association (SAMA), represent thousands of healthcare professionals and businesses.
They oppose the NHI in its current form, citing concerns about funding, coverage, implementation, and administration.
BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia stated that businesses do not support the NHI in its current form and have made this clear throughout various government processes.
SAHPC believes the compact is an attempt to lock in support for the NHI Act, which they do not think will be a viable or workable model for universal health coverage.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has expressed strong reservations about the NHI’s effectiveness in meeting the government’s healthcare objectives and is urging a thorough reassessment of the program.
The groups have called for further engagement with the Presidency to address their concerns and explore alternative solutions for universal healthcare.
They argue that the NHI may not be viable or workable in its current form.
The signatories to the health compact include key figures and organisations from various sectors.
From the government, the President of the Republic of South Africa, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Science and Innovation are involved.
The business sector is represented by the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA), while labour organisations include the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Democratic Nurses of South Africa.
The statutory sector is represented by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC), and traditional health practitioners are represented by the National Unitary Professional Association for African Traditional Health Practitioners of South Africa (NUPAATHPSA) and Traditional Knowledge Systems and Allied Health.
Notably, major business and healthcare associations, such as BUSA and SAHPC, are not among the signatories.
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