“While the NHI's goals—equitable access, universal coverage, and improved efficiency—are noble, the Act in its current form risks displacing the private healthcare sector almost entirely,” wrote Katlego Mothudi, MD of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), Business Times (4 May 2025)
“The NHI Act, as it stands, could lead to reduced patient choice, a loss of skilled private professionals, and decreased health system capacity, impacting not just private providers but all South Africans.
“The country and the broader region need a synergistic model that leverages all available resources to close gaps, drive innovation, and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Care (UHC).”
According to Mothudi the BHF Conference (11 – 14 May) should allow healthcare funders to confront the challenges ahead and replicate the successful partnership models that have already demonstrated their effectiveness in navigating complex health crises.