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In implementing the NHI Act, can we return to working with what we have?

Date Uploaded: April 23 2025 12:00


South Africa has postponed critical health financing reforms for almost 20 years as it has waited for National Health Insurance (NHI) to be implemented. But it now risks harming the main health risk-pooling mechanisms (medical schemes) that are already in place. With the future of NHI deeply uncertain, time is running out, and the cracks in our existing system are showing without a workable alternative having been put in place. It is time to revisit old proposals and ideas, like that of social health insurance.