Anticipation is high in South Africa as the President’s approval of the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill is awaited. The 23rd Annual Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) Conference is set to be a crucial platform for industry stakeholders to analyze its implications and plan for the future steps.
With the theme “Beyond Barriers: Navigating the Future for Sustainable Healthcare”, industry leaders will gather from 4 May to 8 May, 2024 to address threats to sustainability and outline a path forward that aligns with the vision of the BHF and its stakeholders.
A key aspect of the conference will be the presentation of research commissioned by the BHF on public perceptions of medical schemes and private healthcare. This research aims to address negative comments and misconceptions about the industry during the NHI process in an objective manner.
Despite debates on the private sector’s stance regarding the NHI bill, the conference aims to provide evidence-based insights on the valuable role that private healthcare plays in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) objectives.
Dr. Katlego Mothudi, MD of the BHF, emphasizes the industry’s integrated approach towards public and private healthcare and its support for UHC principles. While supporting the aim of UHC, they do not endorse the NHI Bill in its current form due to constitutional concerns and potential negative economic impacts.
Dr. Mothudi highlights the importance of the private health sector in South Africa and warns against weakening its role in favor of the NHI. He stresses the need to remove provisions that restrict the private sector to strengthen the national health system.
In preparation for the bill’s signing, legal experts have been invited by BHF to discuss strategies for the industry’s future in case of approval. Members are encouraged to embrace UHC principles for a more effective role in the NHI environment.
Dr. Mothudi concludes by emphasizing the importance of BHF members in promoting UHC principles, focusing on health governance, meeting population health needs, and redefining the business of medical aid schemes.