Billions Needed for National Health Insurance

August 12 - In a government policy paper released this week, the Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsaledi, said that at least R125 billion will be required in 2012 in order to get proposed National Health Insurance plan off the ground.

The paper also said that the programme would also need R214 billion by 2020 and R225 billion by 2025.

The government reiterated that the objective of the proposed National Health Insurance scheme was to provide equal healthcare to all South Africans.

"The goal is to try and finance healthcare for everybody," said Motsoaledi in a press conference this week.

The ultimate goal is to provide all South Africans with access to a certain level of healthcare, regardless of how much income they have.

NHI Pilot Plan

A pilot plan of the new programme will take place in 10 selected districts next year, he said, and a conditional grant will be made to the budget in order to cover the costs.

As such, South Africans will not be asked to make contributions to the NHI just yet.

As to which districts would be selected, Dr. Motsoaledi said that a number of factors are being examined, including the results of audits, a district's health profile, its demographics and social factors impacting the population's health.

It is still early days to determine whether or not South Africa will be able to do away with government medical aids within 14 years.

The next five years will be spent focusing on improving the quality of health facilities and districts around the country and developing infrastructure.  Focus will also be placed on establishing the National Health Insurance system.

Special emphasis would be placed on appointing the right people to the top positions.