Cyril Ramaphosa and Joe Phaahla at the public signing into law of the NHI Bill. (Frennie Shivambu/Gallo images) We will soon know who South Africa's health minister will be in the new Cabinet. That person should have to tackle the key health issues the country faces.
Putting people first, showing humility, and bridging ideological divides are some of the desired qualities that the minister should possess, academics and activists tell Spotlight. The precise health minister South Africa needs right now may not exist. But the portfolio still demands that the person appointed to this critical position be up to the job.
The appointment, when it happens, will come against a radically shifted political backdrop. Firstly, the election results of 29 May point to a coalition government for the first time in 30 years of democracy. The final configurations of a likely government of national unity is still anyone's guess.
And secondly, the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill is now an Act. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed off on the bill just a fortnight before the elections. It means by law, the work on the advancement of NHI must begin even as the contentions and contestations remain as thorny as ever.
Another reason why getting the right person matters is the money that comes with the portfolio. Annual government spending on health is in the region of R270 billion. Most of this spend is currently directed via provincial health departments, but flows under NHI will be nationalised and .
