The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department announced on Wednesday, measures to prepare itself for the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot programme that will be undertaken in three districts in the province.
The national Health department initially allocated KZN two pilot districts: uMzinyathi district (Greater Dundee) and uMgungundlovu (Greater Pietermaritzburg).
The province has since added Amajuba district which incorporates areas around Newcastle.
Briefing the health portfolio committee in Durban on Wednesday, health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said the province was included to pilot this project because it had the biggest population after Gauteng but was more rural.
“KwaZulu-Natal also has the biggest disease burden, including the prevalence of HIV/Aids,” said Dhlomo.
The national government allocated R33m to KZN to enable it to pilot this project.
The province has allocated a further R110m.
In KZN, the implementation of the pilot projects would be driven by a group of seven NHI champions, made up of medical experts and top department officials, who would develop the strategy and propose structures and resources for for the province.
Dhlomo said the health insurance plan focused on primary health and on preventing diseases.
It would also encourage communities to take responsibility for their own health.
- The Mercury