The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its Affiliates will picket outside the Constitutional Court as the bid by the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) to invalidate the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act and have it set aside is heard from 5 to 7 May.

COSATU and its Affiliates view the NHI as the only path to achieving equitable universal health coverage, putting an end to the two unequal systems currently in place, which are remnants of apartheid – one for people with money and another for the poor and the working class.

COSATU believes the BHF’s argument that the consultative process the NHI Bill underwent prior to being signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa was flawed, does not hold water because the process was incredibly extensive and inclusive over more than five years of intense negotiations and engagements at Nedlac and in Parliament. The Federation also believes the BHF and other parties that have lodged legal challenges against the Act are jumping the gun. Government’s plan is to launch the NHI gradually, in stages, not overnight, therefore naysayers’ contention that the state cannot afford it, and that it should be set aside, is merely a knee-jerk reaction. 

Meantime, the Government Employees Medical Scheme’s increase of members’ contribution by 23% in two years demonstrates clearly why preparation for the implementation of NHI must begin sooner rather than later.  At this rate, soon no one will be able to afford medical aid cover.  Similar price gouging has been found by other medical schemes.

Additionally, Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has confirmed that South Africa’s healthcare system is too expensive and unsustainable, particularly given the disparities between the private and public sectors. Despite allocating 8.5% of GDP to health, South Africa’s health outcomes do not reflect this partly because 51% of allocated funding is spent on 14% of the population, while the remaining 86% of the population is relegated to sharing 49% of the funding.

The BHF and its members are fooling no one; their actions are motivated by profit. However, continuing to profit in a country where 86% of the population is forced to share 49% of the funding cannot be morally justified or financially sustainable.

COSATU and its Affiliates will continue to stand in solidarity with the Health Department, Minister Motsoaledi and government as they battle these unjustified legal challenges to the NHI Act.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za