South African President Cyril Ramaphosa promulgated, on May 15, 2024, a law establishing universal health coverage (NHI) in one of the most unequal countries in the world. The signing of the text, which remained in development for a dozen years, took place two weeks before the general elections. But the content of this text is considered flawed and even unconstitutional by a large segment of the South African population. Explanations.
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In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the law on May 15, 2024 creating universal medical coverage in his country, one of the most unequal in the world. A strong measure, under discussion for twelve years, and adopted two weeks before the general elections of May 29.
After years of debate and discussion and a vote by MPs in June 2023, all that was missing was Cyril Ramaphosa’s signature to definitively establish the creation of National Health Insurance (NHI), universal health insurance, in South Africa. South.
This fund created by law will make it possible to finance care from public or private providers, to guarantee access to health for as many people as possible.
“ People risk dying »
Currently, the vast majority of South Africa’s population relies on a failing and overburdened public health system, while the wealthiest turn to private clinics for treatment.
But, for many civil society organizations, the business world and opposition parties, the law on universal health insurance is poorly constructed and risks, on the contrary, imploding the South African health system.
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Beyond the thorny issue of financing, some fear that funds intended for health establishments will be quickly diverted, leading to shortages and a reduction in the quality of care. “ People are at risk of dying », even declared the leader of the opposition, Mmusi Maimane, who denounces – like many – a maneuver by the African National Congress (ANC) to collect votes, in the run-up to the general elections.
South Africa is holding these elections on May 29, which promise to be tense for the ANC in power for 30 years. The historic party risks for the first time, in a gloomy socio-economic context, losing its absolute majority in Parliament and being forced to form a coalition government.
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