Signing of Health Compact a ‘disappointing affair’

The signing of the Presidential Health Compact in Pretoria on Thursday was a disappointing affair instead of a hopeful event signalling unified action joined by all relevant constituents committed to proper healthcare reform. The Progressive Health Forum, a national health advocacy network of progressive health workers, professionals, experts and activists concerned with the condition and responsiveness of the healthcare delivery system, says regrettably not hopeful at all. Business Unity South Africa (Busa), the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and the South African Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC), which represents about 25 000 doctors, all refused to sign the Health Compact in its current form because they were expected to sign a document that refers to National Health Insurance (NHI) 25 times.

Craig Comrie, chairperson of the Health Funders Association (HFA), says the backlash against the Second Presidential Health Compact is rooted in a broader concern that the unilateral change to the wording of the document contradicts President Curil Ramaphosa’s previously endorsed spirit of collaboration. ALSO READ: Unilateral changes to Health Compact contradict Ramaphosa’s spirit of collaboration Progressive Health Forum: Health Compact a disgraceful political sleight of hand The Progressive Health Forum says the signing ceremony was attended by a selected group of healthcare ‘stakeholders’, some of unknown provenance but in sum falling so far short of rel.