The South African government is pushing ahead with its plans to implement a new National Health Insurance (NHI), according to Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Mkhize made the announcement on July 23 during his updated department budget vote in a virtual parliamentary meeting. Mkhize said that a key aspect for growth and development in South Africa is a healthy and productive population with access to affordable healthcare, according to Business Tech.
“Covid-19 has illustrated just how important data and information are in managing health decisions. We are pleased that during the past few months the NHI information systems capacity has been augmented, strengthened, and dramatically improved,” Mkhize said.
“The investments made in these improvements will all remain and enhance the capability of the department to manage the health system into the future,” added Mkhize.
Mkhize then went on to explain that his department has also prepared a proposal which would resolve infrastructure backlogs in preparation of the NHI.
“This proposal will also play a significant role in job creation and stimulating economic growth and transformation of the construction sector. We believe that this health infrastructure programme will improve public confidence in the public health care system, improve the morale of personnel and better staff retention because of a safer clinical environment,” Mkhize said.
The department has developed a healthcare system dashboard which is scheduled to go live soon, although an official date is yet to be confirmed.
“We have established a patient registry through the deployment of the Health Patient Registration System in our PHC facilities and Hospitals. To date, a total of 51 909 554 patients have been registered,” he said.
Watch the full virtual meeting below:
Picture: twitter/@BricsJournal