Motsoaledi optimistic on NHI

JOHANNESBURG - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says South Africa has the political will to implement the National Health Insurance scheme (NHI) and that it's not just politics talking.

Motsoaledi was speaking at a _New Age _business breakfast briefing in Johannesburg this morning.

He said he wanted an overhaul of the country's public health care system and to make primary healthcare easily accessible.

"This is not electioneering, its reality and it's not a reality that is starting now. Unless people forget, I belong to the African National Congress (ANC). Go and look into the Freedom Charter, there are two lines about this issue."

The minister says government spending on health care is expected to exceed R492 billion over the next three years in preparation for the implementation of the NHI.