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NEHAWU backs Minister Motsoaledi in defending National Health Insurance Act

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has thrown its weight behind Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, in his defense of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.

This comes after reports suggested that the government might compromise on the NHI to appease its partners in the Government of National Unity, particularly the Democratic Alliance, which has been vocal in its opposition to the implementation of the NHI.

According to NEHAWU National Spokesperson, Lwazi Nkolonzi the union welcomes Minister Motsoaledi’s comprehensive response to allegations aimed at derailing the full implementation of the NHI Act.

Nkolonzi emphasised that the NHI Act is a progressive step towards fulfilling the government’s Constitutional obligation to ensure everyone has access to healthcare, as enshrined in Section 27, Subsection 1 of the Constitution.

NEHAWU reiterated its call for President Ramaphosa to promulgate the National Health Insurance Act into force, urging him not to be swayed by those opposed to the NHI Act.

The trade union stressed that a single-payer system is essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and that non-voluntary insurance models like the NHI ensure inclusivity and prevent discrimination based on health status, age, or income.

The implementation of the NHI is expected to equalize the billions of Rands currently serving the interests of a small portion of the population, to serve the majority.

NEHAWU remains confident that the NHI will provide quality healthcare

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