Migrants must be included in NHI, and retain basic healthcare access: activists

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Migrant health experts have criticised the National Health Insurance Bill in its current form, saying it is unconstitutional because it excludes asylum seekers and other migrants from a raft of basic services.

Health activists say the NHI plan will restrict healthcare services to foreigners, including those they can currently access.Migrant health experts have criticised the National Health Insurance Bill in its current form, saying it is unconstitutional because it excludes asylum seekers and other migrants from a raft of basic services.

Jo Vearey, an associate professor with the African Centre for Migration & Society at Wits, said: “It’s important to think about the language that's used around safe, orderly, and regular migration. It's important to acknowledge how the wording here presents a very particular sort of framing of migration that we need to be cautious of. But equally it provides for actions that we can hold the state responsible for in terms of health.

The constitution states that everyone in the country is entitled to primary healthcare services, including foreigners. Regulations allow for access to free healthcare for all pregnant and lactating women, children under six and basic healthcare at clinics. Payment is required for more advanced care.

 

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