NHI round-table stresses need to work together

Top government officials have assured those who fear the National Health Insurance (NHI) to rather engage with it and exploit the abundant opportunities that would emerge from the programme.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The officials said rather than panic, private sector members should know that the government had no plan to squeeze them out of the health care system.

Instead, the NHI programme is intended to ensure access to quality health care for everyone and to open collaboration opportunities that the private sector should capitalise on.

Both Dr Mark Blecher, chief director for health and social development at National Treasury and department of health's deputy director-general of health regulation and compliance, Dr Anban Pillay agreed about potential for collaboration opportunities within the NHI once it was implemented.