Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has reaffirmed that the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act will be rolled out as planned, highlighting a preliminary list of public health facilities that will serve as the initial sites for the scheme’s implementation.
Motsoaledi’s comments come after a last-minute agreement between the ANC and the DA ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), reigniting debate over the future and feasibility of the controversial NHI.
During a parliamentary debate following the Sona, Motsoaledi emphasized that several public health facilities, mentioned by Ramaphosa, are crucial to the phased rollout of the NHI. These hospitals, including two in the Eastern Cape, are either under construction or undergoing significant upgrades to meet the scheme’s objectives.
The hospitals earmarked for the initial phase of the NHI rollout include:
- Limpopo Central Hospital
- Siloam District Hospital in Limpopo
- Dihlabeng Regional Hospital in Free State
- Bambisana District Hospital in Eastern Cape
- Zithulele District Hospital in Eastern Cape
- Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital in North West
Motsoaledi explained that the selection of these sites is a strategic move, ensuring they play a key role in the NHI’s success. “This list is very deliberate and thought-out to support the NHI,” he stated. “These hospitals will be at the forefront of the NHI rollout and are vital for its success.”
