MIDDELBURG – Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu said the province is ready to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), saying progress made in upgrading public healthcare facilities has positioned the province for the rollout of the system.
Speaking at the official opening of the King Nyabela Hospital in Middelburg on Tuesday, 04 August, Ndlovu said the new facility marks a significant step towards improving access to quality healthcare and reducing the gap between public and private health services.
“We are preparing for National Health Insurance, and I think we are ready. Our aim is to provide our people with a fair and equal chance of accessing quality health care.”
The Premier said the latest General Household Survey highlights the need for NHI in Mpumalanga, with only 12,6% of residents covered by medical aid while 87,4% rely on the public healthcare system.
He said most healthcare resources remain concentrated in the private sector despite the majority of residents depending on public facilities.
“Eighty-seven point four per cent of our people rely on public health care because they are part of the medical uninsured South Africans. By opening this new Middelburg Hospital, we are pushing back the frontiers of unequal access to quality health care.”
The National Health Insurance is government’s plan to provide universal health coverage through a single, tax-funded national insurance fund that will purchase healthcare services from both public and private providers. The aim is to ensure that all South Africans have access to healthcare regardless of their financial circumstances.
The NHI Act was signed into law in 2024, with the first phase focusing on strengthening healthcare facilities and systems before full implementation.
Ndlovu said Mpumalanga has made significant progress in meeting the standards required for NHI.
According to the Premier, all 15 assessed healthcare facilities in the province have achieved Ideal Clinic Status, while 14 have been certified by the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC). The remaining facility is scheduled for reassessment.
At primary healthcare level, 285 of the province’s 290 facilities have achieved Ideal Clinic Status.
Ndlovu said all 23 district hospitals have attained Ideal Hospital Status, while 18 hospitals have been certified compliant by the OHSC. In addition, 279 of the province’s 290 healthcare facilities have been certified compliant.
“Our current performance demonstrates significant progress.”
King Nyabela Hospital is expected to serve thousands of residents in Steve Tshwete and surrounding areas, easing pressure on existing facilities and bringing specialist healthcare services closer to communities.
However, while the provincial government says its healthcare system is ready for NHI, concerns remain nationally over the funding of the scheme, corruption, staffing shortages and the readiness of public health facilities.
Although the legislative framework is in place, the NHI Fund has not yet become operational and further work is required before the system can be fully implemented.
