Western Cape government faces criticism over NHI court case

HEALTH CRISIS

- BRANDON NEL and ARMAND HOUGH

THE Western Cape government has been criticised for spending money on fighting the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill in the Constitutional Court, while its own health system is sick and struggling - running on a tight budget and having lost more than 1,500 staff in the previous financial year.

This week, the Western Cape Government said it filed papers with the Constitutional Court to challenge the validity of the NHI.

Health and wellness MEC Mireille Wenger said: “The NHI is likely one of the most significant and controversial statutes in South African democratic history, which was rushed through the NCOP without considering, debating or deliberating on any substantive input arising from the public participation processes in the provinces.

“We bring this challenge in the interests and on behalf of the people of the Western Cape, given our role in the provision of public health care in the province.”

Premier Alan Winde said: “We are standing up for the right of every South African to have a meaningful voice in how laws are made.”