Industry body Business Unity South Africa (Busa) on Thursday expressed disappointment that despite commitments by the government to engage on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, structured discussions have not yet taken place, affirming its readiness to participate in meaningful dialogue with government.

Busa CEO Cas Coovadia said the organisation was aiming for formal, constructive engagement with the President, Minister of Health and National Treasury, that was focused on collaboration, for an equitable and sustainable healthcare system. 

He also expressed concern about the “inappropriate rhetoric” aimed at those who have raised concerns around the NHI Act in its current form.

This is seemingly in reference to recent statements made by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, when he compared criticism of the NHI to apartheid-era scaremongering.

“Raising these concerns is not only appropriate, but in fact, the responsible and necessary course of action to ensure that the path that we choose as a country is both viable and sustainable,” Coovadia said.

He stressed that Busa’s primary objective, in partnership with government and other stakeholders, was to ensure access to quality healthcare for everyone in South Africa, and that inequalities in the healthcare system were quickly addressed responsibly.

This would also drive South Africa’s economic growth, Coovadia argued.

“We have, on many occasions and across every legislative forum, made constructive proposals on how the country can do this without negatively impacting our economy, healthcare system and fiscal stability. We have also been extremely clear in our position that the NHI, as is envisioned in the Act, is unaffordable, unimplementable and unconstitutional, and therefore requires urgent amendment,” he said.

Civil society organisations and political parties threatened legal action following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s controversial signing of the NHI Bill.

Last week, Ramaphosa spoke at Busa’s AGM, assuring that government was committed to working with Busa to drive economic growth.

“We must accept that there will, from time to time, be areas on which we may disagree. We should not let this deter us from the work we need to do. Rather we should remain engaged in dialogue with a view to finding solutions that serve the interests of the country,” he said.