NHI will be reviewed and revamped until it's perfect - Ramaphosa

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Health Insurance (NHI) will be reviewed and revamped until it is perfect.

Last week, Ramaphosa signed the NHI into law, triggering a wave of criticism from opposition parties and organisations.

READ MORE:

• Health Dept hits back at foundation over NHI criticism
• Ramaphosa signs NHI Bill into law
• Economist warns against NHI for ‘overburdened taxpayers’

NHI is a financing scheme that will allow the government to pay for certain medical procedures at public and private healthcare facilities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the current healthcare system in the country favours rich people.

He added that the government subsidised private healthcare through training healthcare workers and medical aid tax rebates - among other initiatives.

He says once the national health insurance is in effect, it will eventually help everyone.

“We cannot stop the progress of health coverage history because this one has a problem with that and that one has a problem with that.”

Ramaphosa says NHI will be implemented in phases over the coming years.