17/05/2024
New National Health Insurance Law Sparks Diverse Reactions in Durban
By Magugu Xaba and Busisiwe Ngcongo
The 15th of May marks the day that President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to publicly sign the
National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law. The new law is a response to healthcare in
South Africa being unequal. Residents of Durban have different opinions and thoughts
about this new law.
“It`s not like the current system was benefiting us. Only the rich get better health care and
we don’t. Maybe we`ll access private hospitals before the ANC ruins everything because
they will,” expressed Lelo Dlangamandla (34). Additionally, she voiced being skeptical of
the government`s ability to effectively manage the National Health Insurance program.
Nhlanhla Kumwendu (29) said, “NHI needs to be implemented properly, not used in
desperation to gain votes. The current state of the country and government health care
system says it all.”
Tax payers could potentially see an increase in the amount of money they normally pay in
order for the new National Health Insurance program to be sustained. “The middle class
will always suffer. We do not have enough taxpaying people to fund this theory and in South
Africa we have more unemployed people than employed people,” expressed Helen Wessels
(46). “One way or the other this government is making sure that working class people suffer
because as tax payers we are already burdened. More reasons not to vote for ANC.”
Sihle Ngcongo (42), a nurse from Ngilanyoni Clinic, said “I`m worried that some of the
doctors and nurses may earn less money because of this new law. I`m also worried about
the amount of increased workload that hospitals may face.”
The NHI may not be implemented on the 15th of May, however it will be the law as of 15
