This week, the South African Medical Association held a briefing to announce that it will challenge the constitutionality of the National Health Insurance Act. The entity represents more than 12,000 medical professionals. The organization believes that the act will limit healthcare outcomes for patients. They highlight that emergency medical care is inaccessible and it still remains unclear what services are provided for healthcare users under NHI.

For medical professionals, it will impact healthcare staff when it comes to administering quality services, procurement, medicolegal claims, workload, and operational management. Unlike other legal challenges which has focused on medical aid, SAMA will focus on real-life implications of a new universal health system. To help us better understand this court challenge and how it could benefit communities should it succeed, we are joined by…  

Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa - South African Medical Association Chairperson