No money, no NHI: Private medical aid schemes are here to stay

No money, no NHI: Private medical aid schemes are here to stay

Despite the government’s ambitious plans for a National Health Insurance (NHI) system, financial and logistical challenges mean that private medical schemes are set to remain a key pillar of South Africa’s healthcare landscape for the foreseeable future. At a recent roundtable discussion, Mark Blecher, the Treasury’s chief director for health and social development, clarified that private medical aids are “not going anywhere soon.” Blecher stres…

No money, no NHI — Medical aids stay

National Healthcare Insurance (NHI) may have been positioned as the future of South Africa’s healthcare system, but financial hurdles and a lack of clarity have led experts to predict that private medical schemes will continue to play a pivotal role for years to come. A recent roundtable discussion, highlighted by the Mail & Guardian, featured Mark Blecher, the Treasury’s chief director for health and social development, who clarified that priva…