NATIONAL UNHEALTHY INSURANCE: R182m NHI spin deal is a warning of what’s to come
If R182m meant for an already buckling health system can be poured into PR with so few checks, imagine the risks when the NHI becomes the country’s single, centralised purchaser of healthcare.
A reported R182 million allocation for National Health Insurance (NHI) spin marketing raises concerns about accountability and corruption risks as the country edges closer to a single, centralized healthcare system. Gift of the Givers, a non-profit organization, has received significant funds for promoting the NHI, with contracts going to two small PR companies - KMTV and Dots Design Company - which received R146 million and R39 million respectively.
Former City Press editor Khathu Mamaila's company, KMTV, was paid the largest sum over a two-year period. The NHI, which aims to provide universal healthcare, has faced opposition from eight organizations, including the South African Medical Association (SAMA), which has challenged the law in abeyance due to concerns about its design and the lack of checks on accountability.
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