Motsoaledi: NHI plan ‘misunderstood’

27/07/2012. Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi addresses delegates at the School Health Conference held at Unisa. Picture: Masi Losi

27/07/2012. Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi addresses delegates at the School Health Conference held at Unisa. Picture: Masi Losi

Published Nov 22, 2013

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Johannesburg -

The National Health Insurance (NHI) plan is widely misunderstood, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.

“I have discovered with regret that ever since the concept of NHI was discussed, it has been grossly misunderstood,” Motsoaledi told delegates at a South African Chamber of Business and Industry meeting in Johannesburg.

“There is a perception that NHI is some big business from which to derive health benefits.”

He said the NHI is no longer South African only, but has gone global. It was regarded as universal health coverage in most countries.

“Soon, universal health coverage will be discussed in the United Nations general assembly.”

The UN's eight millennium development goals, agreed upon globally, were reaching their deadline in 2015, he said.

“The world needs a new agenda after these millennium development goals... and universal health coverage is what it needs.” - Sapa

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