'PIC mustn't fund NHI'

Funds belong to state employees and pensioners, not govt.’

- Ina Opperman

Despite what Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says, experts say money from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) must not be used to build hospitals and, by implication, fund National Health Insurance (NHI), because it does not belong to government.

They also said hospitals would not be assets that can be sold for a profit.

DA MP Michele Clarke asked Motsoaledi in parliament whether he had discussed the possibility of using PIC funding to build public hospitals with the Cabinet and if there was an agreement with the PIC.

The health department is preparing to implement National Health Insurance (NHI) after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill in May.

The PIC is an asset management firm wholly owned by government with R2.7 trillion of assets under management.