Discovery must clarify stance on NHI, says IRR

17 November 2023

The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has written to the CEO of Discovery, Adrian Gore, urging him to come clean on where the organisation stands on the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

Said Mlondi Mdluli, IRR Campaign Manager: “For the longest time, Discovery has been in full support of the NHI Bill. In January 2022, Discovery Health made presentations to Parliament in support of NHI structural reform through a blended funding model and public-private partnerships. Additionally, last year, the organisation went as far as stating: ‘Discovery is supportive of the NHI and will use its capabilities and resources to assist.’ However, it now seems Discovery is beginning to change its stance on the NHI, even suggesting that it is unfeasible.”

Discovery has recently flagged the implementation of NHI in its current form as the second-biggest risk facing the group. Additionally, the organisation said in its annual report last month that the contributions of healthcare professionals, who were core and essential to the delivery of care, were not given the appropriate weight and attention in the drafting of the Bill.

Added Mdluli: “The debate surrounding the NHI Bill is of interest to the IRR, as it has been very vocal in arguing against it from the word go. The opposes the NHI not only because of its unaffordability, but also because, by nationalising private hospitals, it will infringe on the rights of South Africans to choose to obtain private healthcare. Discovery’s latest interesting comments have garnered our attention."

Mdluli said this had prompted the IRR’s letter requesting Discovery to clarify the reason for its sudden change in stance on the NHI. The IRR also asked Discovery if it would be approaching the courts to prevent the implementation of NHI.

Concluded Mdluli: “The IRR remains firm in opposing the NHI and will continue to emphasise that the government should rather focus on fixing what is broken instead of breaking what works. The NHI will not solve the problems faced by the country’s healthcare system, but only lead to further deterioration.”

Issued by Mlondi Mdluli, IRR Campaigns Manage, 17 November 2023