South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to enact a significant national health bill aimed at providing universal coverage to millions of underserved citizens.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, passed by lawmakers last year, aims to grant all South Africans, regardless of race or economic status, access to high-quality healthcare.
The implementation of the bill will occur in stages, requiring substantial investment totaling billions of dollars.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have voiced concerns about the bill’s current form and urged for it to be reconsidered by parliament.
The signing ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday at the Union Buildings, the presidential office in Pretoria, the nation’s capital.
This move comes just before the national election on May 29, which could serve as a test for the ruling African National Congress after its three-decade-long rule.
Despite progress, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies, with a significant