Lesufi Slammed for Unrealistic NHI Promises
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has come under fire for making bold and unrealistic promises related to the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme during the recent election campaign.
In a widely circulated video clip, Lesufi is seen promising that anyone who votes for the ANC will be able to walk into any private health care facility and receive medical assistance free of charge, with the government footing the bill. This promise has sparked outrage among the public, who accuse Lesufi of lying and making empty promises to vulnerable residents in disadvantaged communities.
However, experts have cast doubt on the feasibility of Lesufi’s NHI pledge. The National Health Insurance Bill has not yet been signed into law, and the NHI is still far from being ready for implementation. Head of Health Systems Strengthening at the Board of Health Funders (BHF), Dr Rajesh Patel, has warned that implementing the NHI in its current form would be a disaster waiting to happen due to the lack of a clear funding plan.
Patel has also emphasized the need for the government to improve the current state of public healthcare in Gauteng before considering NHI. He has called for holding health district directors and CEOs accountable for their handling of money and resources in hospitals.
The DA’s health shadow MEC for Gauteng, Jack Bloom, has condemned Lesufi’s election speech as a desperate attempt to stay in office. Bloom has accused Lesufi of making wild promises that cannot be met.
National health spokesperson Foster Mohale has confirmed that the NHI bill has not yet been signed off. He has stated that while the government welcomes efforts to improve the healthcare system, the bill is awaiting the president’s signature before the next step in its implementation.
Lesufi’s NHI promises have raised concerns among healthcare professionals and the public alike. The government’s ability to deliver on these promises remains uncertain, and experts have urged the government to prioritize addressing the current challenges within the public healthcare system before attempting to implement NHI.
