President Cyril Ramaphosa has briefed Parliament on progress being made toward implementing the National Health Insurance Act, saying government departments are continuing with preparations for the rollout of the country’s planned universal healthcare system.
Speaking in the National Assembly of South Africa, Ramaphosa said the Department of Health has been working on several preparatory initiatives since the NHI Act was adopted.
These include developing systems to register patients who will access services through the NHI, as well as establishing accreditation frameworks and contracting arrangements for healthcare facilities and providers.
Ramaphosa said digital health systems are also being introduced to ensure patient records can be easily shared between different healthcare facilities.
“Since the assent of the National Health Insurance Act, the Department of Health has been busy with a whole range of preparatory work initiatives,” Ramaphosa said.
“This includes procedures for the registration of people who are going to use the NHI and the accreditation framework and the contracting arrangements for healthcare establishments and providers.”
The president also confirmed that government has agreed not to implement certain sections of the NHI Act until the Constitutional Court of South Africa rules on a legal challenge expected to be heard in May 2026.
The case focuses on concerns raised about the level of public participation during the legislative process.
Ramaphosa said the undertaking which has been made an order of court will not halt ongoing preparations for the implementation of the NHI.
During the parliamentary session, Julius Malema questioned whether the government could introduce 24-hour clinic services while broader health reforms are still being developed.
Malema asked whether clinics such as George Mukari and Chilidzini Hospital could operate around the clock and receive upgrades while the long-term reforms continue.
In response, Ramaphosa said funding constraints remain a significant challenge.
He noted that the National Treasury has previously indicated that government faces difficulties hiring enough doctors to operate clinics on a 24-hour basis.
The president added that expanding clinic operating hours would also require the development of proper regulations and operational guidelines by the Department of Health.