'Show us the receipts': Medical aids want to see Cyril Ramaphosa's NHI records

702's Ray White (in for Bongani Bingwa) is joined by Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson of the South African Medical Association.

Listen below:

The High Court in Pretoria is being asked to compel President Cyril Ramaphosa to outline the steps he took ahead of signing the National Health Insurance Act into law.

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), which represents 40 medical aid schemes covering 4.5 million people, wants to see Ramaphosa's full records, which he has refused to provide.

The President signed the Act into law just days before the country went to the polls in May last year.

The BHF is convinced Ramaphosa's records would show that there were multiple submissions advising that the Bill was premature and even unconstitutional.

"We [SAMA] have been making submissions to government... and oral representations in Parliament and there was no feedback, [not] even acknowledging receipt of those submissions. So, you can imagine the frustrations."

- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - South African Medical Association

Mzukwa says it is right that the government be compelled to show the records.

"If government cannot explain themselves without being forced... then the courts of law are the right place for these organisations to get a hearing..."

- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - South African Medical Association

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Much of the criticism around the NHI, which seeks to provide universal healthcare for all South Africans, is that many unanswered questions remain.

Concerns have been raised about potential longer waiting times due to increased demand on public healthcare facilities, a lack of clarity regarding funding sources, and the potential for corruption.

"This NHI has broad-reaching implications for both health professionals and the public, yet you find that key details are being withheld which further erode confidence in the process."

- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - South African Medical Association

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