South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a controversial new law that will lead to the biggest shake-up in the health sector since the end of the racist system of apartheid 30 years ago.
It promises universal health care for all, but has faced fierce resistance from the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which has accused the president of signing the “death warrant” of health care in South Africa.
It warns that the scheme could be hugely expensive, and fuel corruption.
What does the law say?
The National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme advocates the creation of a state fund to cover the medical costs of all South Africans – most of whom are not currently covered.
It goes further to bar people from taking out private health insurance for treatment paid for by the fund, which is proving very controversial.
“Once the NHI fund covers a benefit, the medical schemes will not cover the same benefits,”…
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