No rush to roll out NHI - Govt first needs R200bn to fix hospitals, says Phaahla

The controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) plan won't be rushed as the government needs an estimated R200 billion to fix dilapidated hospitals – money which won't be available in the short or medium term.

This is according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who reiterated that the NHI would be implemented in phases.

Phaahla was responding to a written parliamentary question from EFF MP Suzan Thembekwayo, who wanted to know if the minister had considered not rushing the implementation of the NHI and instead was paying attention to the infrastructure challenges.