City Press reports that Cosatu has thrown its weight behind government in the legal battle over the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act.
The labour federation staged a picket at the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday. Cosatu expressed its frustration over the attempt by private healthcare bodies to challenge the legislation, calling it a delaying tactic that hindered the much-needed reforms in the country’s healthcare system. Speaking at the demonstration, Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela criticised the legal challenge brought by the Board of Healthcare Funders and the SA Private Practitioners Forum. The two organisations maintain that the NHI Act, signed into law earlier this year, is unconstitutional. In their view, President Cyril Ramaphosa had an obligation to return the legislation to parliament "because it is irrational, unconstitutional, or otherwise unlawful". At the heart of the debate is the present two-tier healthcare system, which Cosatu and government say is unsustainable. Sabelo acknowledged the concerns about the implementation of the NHI, particularly around resource allocation and service delivery gaps in the public healthcare sector. However, she argued that these challenges should not be used as an excuse to maintain the status quo. Sabela highlighted the stark healthcare inequalities. She pointed out that nearly half of the country’s healthcare budget serviced just 16% of the population, namely those with private medical aid, while the remaining 84% relied on an overstretched and underfunded public system.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sthembiso Lebuso at City Press (subscription or trial registration required)
- See too, Pro-NHI groups rally outside court as legal battle continues, at SABC News
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