Government outlines NHI implementation schedule

President Cyril Ramaphosa has entered into a performance agreement with Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize which includes a hard implementation date for South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI).

The performance agreement, which was made publicly available on Tuesday (8 December) for the first time, states that the NHI should be progressively implemented so that universal health coverage for at least 90% of South African by 2030.

As part of this process, the following deadlines must be met by Mkhize:

• The NHI Fund must be established as a public entity and operational by 2021/2022;
• The Fund should begin purchasing services by 2022/2023;
• Through a progressive process, 90% of South Africans should be covered by 2030.

The performance agreements also require Mkhize to prepare all of the country’s necessary clinics and hospitals for the system by 2025.  …more