Poll shows 38% of doctors will emigrate if NHI implemented

8 January 2020 3:10 PM

According to the SA Medical Association (Sama), 38% of its doctors would emigrate if the National Health Insurance (NHI) was implemented.

Sama, which represents 17,000 doctors across the country, conducted the survey to find out what doctors thought about the NHI Bill.

The survey also revealed that 39% of doctors said they would not leave, 17% were unsure and 6% would emigrate for other reasons.

Speaking to Gushwell Brooks, South African Medical Association spokesperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa says they are supporting the universal healthcare system.

There are a number of submissions we have made to the portfolio committee in Parliament and some of the issues we have raised the trust deficit.
— Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Spokesperson - South African Medical Association

The trust between the government and the profession has gone down because of what is happening currently.
— Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Spokesperson - South African Medical Association

Mzukwa says they are supporting the universal healthcare system and they are also engaging the government.

We are engaging government and we have said we want to work with government but please assist members on this issues and if you don't we have members as stated in our survey that they will consider leaving.
— Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Spokesperson - South African Medical Association

Listen to the full interview below...

Written by: Zanele Zama