Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Parliament that the Health Department will press ahead with NHI preparations, despite a recent High Court order to pause any immediate proclamation or implementation of sections of the NHI Act, reported Business Day 5 March 2026.
“Last week, Motsoaledi and President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed not to proclaim or implement any sections of the NHI Act until the Constitutional Court has ruled on two challenges linked to Parliament’s public participation process. That agreement was made a Court order on 24 February, following an earlier undertaking recorded in a letter from the State Attorney dated 20 February.”
According to Motsoaledi the priorities will include upgrading hospital infrastructure, introducing a national electronic patient record system and moving towards price controls for private healthcare services.
The Constitutional Court is expected to hear the two public participation cases between 5 and 7 May.