Mpumalanga is a pioneer for implementation of NHI

Health MEC says pilot project in Gert Sibande district is doing well

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The Mpumalanga government is convinced that enough groundwork has been laid to champion the full rollout of the contentious National Health Insurance (NHI), with one district already serving as a pilot site for South Africa's journey towards universal healthcare.

During a recent sitting of the legislature in Mbombela, Freedom Front Plus leader Werner Weber challenged the provincial health department to rise above persistent crises and deliver quality care.

"Mpumalanga is not a province of despair. It's a province of resilience, of strength, of people who deserve the absolute best. That's why we say our department of health must not be a department of crises but a winning department," said Weber.

"It must be a department that delivers - working hospitals and clinics staffed with enough doctors, nurses and medical professionals so that any person receives the care they need immediately, and no one is turned away. Mpumalanga can become an example to the rest of South Africa."

Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini welcomed the remarks, saying the department was already making progress in building a model of accessible and quality care.