NHI fund will take decades to roll out — we answer your burning questions

The Dunning -Kruger effect is palpable in Ramasofa and the rest of his beaming incompetent ministers. I wonder how much opportunity for corruption there will be as it is implemented, never mind once its actually operational...

Ferial, do you honestly believe that the tax paying population of this country must remain in limbo for the next 30 years to see if the NHI is fundable from the tax base? Universal medical coverage in the UK and Canada to name some has relied on poaching medical staff from other countries who do not have and never will have, like South Africa the tax base to afford a national health insurance. The whole approach to socialized health care is incorrect because there is no incentive whatsoever for individual to be proactive about their health such as dont smoke or severely limit your drinking of alcohol. Recently in the The Daily Mail UK it was stated by the NHS that if Britains ate fish once a week it would result in a GDP 70 million saving to the NHS. I have a problem sharing the burden of ill health from someone else who simply is self destructive in their eating habits and exercise regime.

So your answer to everything is dont worry - its 30 years away? Thats a terrible answer. The fact that this travesty was ever even considered to be viable is what we should all be worrying about. Its clear the legislation is contrary to the constitution and will be shot down in its current form. What needs to happen is that a CLEAR, UNAMBIGUOUS message needs to be delivered to the ANC and all the other half wits who think this is a workable, moral idea. Its not. Wrecking working systems in the name of helping the destitute is just stupid. Further crippling your tax payer base is extremely stupid. Rather focus on fixing the damned economy than pursuing any more hairbrained schemes.

It's not that the NHI as a disruptive system is the concern. It's just the lengths the ANC will go to, to stay in power. If he was serious about improving healthcare for all, he would do something serious. It's not the bill. In the same way that the visit to Iran coincided with their bailout from bankruptcy, and the same move that the German Nationalist Socialist Party did in the 1930's: find a reason for everyone's problem: the Jew. We are headed for an ANC/EFF coalition. So when asked what I felt about the upcoming election, I responded with "Sad".

This article fails to address the elephants in the room in any meaningful way. One of the major concerns would lie in the fact that the private sector will mostly likely end down investment at this juncture because there is no certainty about whether the prices the NHI will dictate to providers will be fair or sustainable. The answer to Will ANC politicians be prevented from going abroad for treatment? is terrible. We know Zuma and Mabuza were going to Russia for treatment all the time. You can be sure that the ANC cadres and crooks will not suffer with the rest of the population when the NHI turns into a train wreck. It's a weak article all around.

When you want to buy a fancy car, you first save the money before signing the bill. If you want to build a 'world class' healthcare system - you first build it , and then you sign the bill. But we don't see that faux pas - no wonder South Africans have the worst savings rate in the world. We spend before we've earned it. As demonstrated so aptly by our President.

How does the government oven to keep medical specialists in the country? I foresee an exodus of specialists out of the country over the next few years to the point where we will have virtually none left. We will be left with a primary healthcare system only. And if course a massive pot of money called NHI is without doubt going to be looted just like the coffers of all government departments, SOE's and the RAF. Look what happened to the COVID fund despite assurances by Mr Ramaphosa that there would be no corruption, that was the first thing that happened.

Ferial... Whether it's 30 days or 30 years away, the looting spree has already commenced... just read the news about the theft that led to the assassination of a whistleblower... Those who hired the hitman remain employed. .. . This years budget set aside R1 billion for ANC recruited cadres to be appointed to "prepare"... Meanwhile thousands of qualified doctors remain unemployed because the ANC government has "no money".

I think when making decisions on this kind of thing, one has to use some form of context; has the ANC been successful in any major venture in the economy, like Eskom, Denel, SAA, the SABC, Transnet, the Post Office etc. etc? The obvious answer is a resounding NO! So why should they make a success of this? Or is it simply another promise to beguile the witless voter? Of course it is. Concluding with, Zimbabwe 2.0 here we come!

genius ! another fund to loot. MS Haffajee says it will thirty years ,thirty the magic number it took the ANC to destroy the country. this time, I think, it will be less .losing the election is not too problematic , except there will be more snouts at the feeding trough ,the coalition partners. there is nothing left for another thirty years.

In 30 years' time there won't be sufficient taxpayers left to purchase more than 20 bedpans per year. This is cloud cuckoo land stuff, which only the dimwits who form the bulk of the current electorate could possibly expect to work. As for the timing of the signing - as disgraceful as anything else this egregious government has inflicted on the population.

Of course, signing the NHO is an election stunt to gain votes, but coming from the ruling (for now) party, it's now (as my kids would say) "a thing." Whether it takes thirty years is cold comfort to the children who will now choose careers with promise for a better future, and not the prospect of being nurses or doctors dependant on a corrupt state bureaucracy for their working conditions and their payment. But of course, it matters not to those at the trough, as their concerns are immediate; staying in power, the tenders, the blue lights and the buffets.

Hah. It took the ANC 30 years to destroy most of the public infrastructure. Another 30 and most of the private bits will be gone also

I take any assurances from Ferial with a pinch of salt

I think the majority of commentators are blissfully naive about the degree of stupidity and Machiavellian desire in the ruling party. The prevalent narrative about this has been: 'it will never come'. Now, it has, and the commentariat explains how and why it'll take decades to implement - as if this will make anything better. You have just been told that you must hand over your house and car to the government. But, don't worry, they only gonna come for it in 10-15 years. Great stuff... The other argument is that the thieves may not be around at that time, to collect their loot. Well, that is assuming that whoever comes in their stead is competent and not as mischievous. Assumptions, assumptions... The uncertainty alone this inflicts on health care will be perilous for a sector that is already under severe strain. Good night and good luck to the ones who are growing old right now in SA and will want to rely on quality health care in the sunset days of their lives. You will not go gentle into that good night...

Where does the writer get the information that the ministers go to the Military and State Hospitals and doctors? This is just not true. Some may, but it is suggested in the article that all do. What is the writer trying to do, blind us to the truth?

I suggest all politicians and rosy eyed journalist from now on go to Charlotte Makxekhe Hospital and the cancer units of state Hospital for treatment if the become sick and get cancer

I will ask again - What is the difference between the current provincial hospital and municipal clinic model and the "new NHI" in terms of the new buzz term "Universal Health Coverage" as propagated by the WHO. According to their own description "Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship" Please tell me how the current model (besides the ANC and cadres effect) falls short of this "noble new" approach. We have had this for decades, or am I mad? It should me my choice to spend my money on a medical aid - not some fat cat politician.

The biggest lie the ANC keeps repeating is that opposition to this particular NHI equates opposition to universal health care. There are many better ways to improve health care coverage in countries like ours. This NHI bill is not it.