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Society Forum, which includes Show Me Your Number and the South African Youth Council, held a youth sector workshop on the NHI between 11 & 12 of October in Durban.

The meeting noted and affirmed that South African two-tier Health System by design seeks to perpetuate inequalities and as it stands defies international conventions and other treaties on human rights, hence we submit that health should rather be viewed as a social investment and not be subjected to market forces to make determinations; further noted that there’s a strong, well-funded and concerted negative campaign by those who don’t want to see the gap in the two tier health system done away.

Whilst we accept the establishment of the NHI fund, we are however cautious in our support given the rampant corruption that is associated with funds administered by the public sector notwithstanding oversight mechanisms, government must put us at ease that the fund won’t present another looting-spree for politicians.

We take a dim view on the powers allocated to the Minister in terms of appointment and dissolution of the boards, mindful that this is currently the standard procedure however, it doesn’t mean it is effective. We submit that the bill should clearly spell out the 'checks and balances' on the powers afforded to the Minister because we may have what we may consider as a "progressive Minister” today and tomorrow we completely have the opposite.

We are of the firm view that some of purported benefits of the NHI are things that need not to wait for the implementation of the NHI for example: “Short queues, short waiting times, clean hospitals, no medicine stockouts, good quality food and linen caring and courteous staff”.

Notwithstanding the above, the SAYC supports the intent of the NHI, we will be making a substantive submission to parliament on some of the issues highlighted above.

Furthermore, SAYC as the apex body of youth formations in South Africa, will ensure it mobilises support for the implementation of National Health Insurance Fund without hindrance. As it is our conviction that this program seeks to level playing surfaces in as far as access to quality health care is concerned. Our firm view is that if properly implemented, NHI program shall bear better health spin-offs across the board through improved coverage.

Released on behalf of South African Youth Council