NHI Bill on the brink of being signed into law in South Africa

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to endorse a contentious health insurance bill ahead of the upcoming national elections, according to statements made by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the presidency.

Ntshavheni emphasized the importance of signing the bill during this period to facilitate its full implementation under the new administration. This announcement came during an annual strategy meeting of Ramaphosa's cabinet in Pretoria on Thursday.

The National Health Insurance Bill was approved by Parliament's National Council of Provinces in December and has been sent to the president for final approval. Ramaphosa has the option to assent to the bill or request amendments if there are legal or technical concerns.

The bill sets the groundwork for universal healthcare coverage through a state-managed fund and prohibits private sector financing for treatments covered under the plan.

While there is broad support for reforming a healthcare system where a multi-billion rand private sector serves only 16% of the population, critics of the National Health Insurance (NHI) argue that the government's proposals lack proper costing, may violate the constitution, and could face legal challenges.

The cabinet's strategy meeting, held before the president's state-of-the-nation address on February 8, marks his final address before the elections. The upcoming vote, scheduled to be announced soon, is anticipated to be the most competitive since the end of White-minority rule in 1994, with several polls indicating the ruling African National Congress may lose its outright majority.

Other topics discussed at the meeting include the nation's electricity crisis, challenges within the state-owned rail network, crime, and economic issues.