THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has given its support to the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) – but warned that it should not come at a further cost for the country’s workers.
The NHI Bill is currently undergoing a public consultation process, with a number of healthcare, civil society and political groups presenting on why the new system should or should not be introduced.
Cosatu said South Africa spends 8.5% of its Gross Domestic Product on healthcare.
This is higher than many industrialised and peer nations.
“Half of this is spent on the 16% of society fortunate enough to have medical aid. The other half is spent on public health care for the 84% dependent upon the state. As a result, we have 1st class private health care available for 16% but charged at exorbitant prices and an overwhelmed public health care battling to provide basic health
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