National health insurance for South Africa: towards universal health coverage

The Department of Health has published the policy document, National health insurance for South Africa: towards universal health coverage. "This White Paper lays the foundation for moving South Africa towards universal health coverage (UHC) through the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) and establishment of a unified health system. The move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through implementation of NHI is derived from the following: The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP); the Constitutional mandate based on the Section 27 of the Constitution; the 1997 White Paper for the Transformation of the Health System; and Vision 2030 of the National Development Plan Vision 2030.

South Africa aims to make significant strides in moving towards UHC through the implementation of NHI based on the principle of the Constitutional right of citizens to have access to quality healthcare services that are delivered equitably, affordably, efficiently, effectively and appropriately based on social solidarity, progressive universalism, equity and health as a public good and a social investment."