Africa-Press – South-Africa. President Ramaphosa emphasised that the rollout will only proceed once the court has delivered its final judgment on the matter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) has been placed on hold.
The decision comes as the government awaits the outcome of legal challenges brought before the Constitutional Court regarding the act’s validity.
In May, South Africa’s apex court is scheduled to hear arguments from the Board of Healthcare Funders and the Western Cape Government.
The core of their challenge rests on the claim that the NHI’s public participation process was constitutionally flawed.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that the rollout will only proceed once the court has delivered its final judgment on the matter.
While government waits for a judicial green light, concerns have been raised regarding the Constitutional Court’s recent track record.
The court has faced criticism for significant delays in handing down rulings, with some parties waiting over a year for a resolution.
Despite these concerns, the Presidency remains optimistic about the project’s timeline.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya maintains that this pause will not derail the long-term rollout of the healthcare initiative. According to Magwenya, the delay does not halt the foundational work required for the system to function.
“The undertaking by the President will not affect the timetable for the implementation of the NHI. The Department of Health has indicated that preparatory work has been ongoing, such as the improvement of health services, before any sections of the NHI Act are ready for commencement.”
The Constitutional Court is set to hear the challenge from May 5th to May 7th.
The proceedings will focus strictly on whether the legislative process adhered to constitutional requirements for public engagement.
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