The United Nations in South Africa Statement on the signing of the South African National Health Insurance Bill into law by President Ramaphosa

Pretoria, 15 May 2024 – The United Nations (UN) in South Africa welcomes the signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law and considers it as a significant milestone in the journey towards universal health care that leaves no one behind. In line with social protection aspirations, the law is intended to ensure that all those who live in South Africa have access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their socio-economic status through the establishment of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the NHI Bill into law subsequent to stakeholder consultations and its approval by the National Assembly (NA) in June 2023 and, the National Council of Provinces (NCoPs) in December 2023. The newly enacted NHI law aims to ensure nationwide access for all to healthcare services in accordance with the constitution of South Africa.

"In line with our Cooperation Framework, technical inputs, and advocacy interventions with Government, the UN believes that the inclusive and progressive implementation of the NHI law and other social protection measures will accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3.8 to achieve Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, for all, and promote health and well-being across all ages”, said Nelson Muffuh, the UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa.

The UN Country Team in South Africa through the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has brought not only a sense of urgency to efforts to strengthen the South African health systems but has also demonstrated the centrality of pandemic preparedness and Universal Health Coverage, and especially Public Health Coverage and Public Health Security to the attainment of Health for All.  The UN is convinced that the passing of the NHI law and its subsequent consultative implementation is a step in the right direction. 

Dr. Fabian Ndenzako, the Officer In charge for WHO South Africa, said that “the signing of the NHI law reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to prioritize the health and well-being of its people. This has come in the wake of the country’s earlier endorsement of the most ambitious and comprehensive political declaration on health at the UN High-Level Meeting on UHC in September 2019 and again in September 2023.”

The UN wishes to reiterate the importance of ensuring that the NHI law, is implemented in a responsible, accountable, and consultative manner that is consistent with international human rights standards, including the right to health and the right to access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

The UN once again commends the Government and people of South Africa for taking this bold step and avails itself to continue to offer technical support in implementing the NHI law for the benefit of all those who live in South Africans.

For media enquiries please contact: Eunice Namugwe, UN Information Centre – Pretoria, Email: namugwe@un.org, Tel : +27 71 6828310

Herewith is a link to signing event: https://youtu.be/r1AJRb0qc44