National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)NoticesNational Health Insurance Policy towards Universal Health CoverageChapter 2 : Definition2.3 Principles |
| 31. | NHI will be based on the following principles: |
| i | Right to access health care |
| 32. | NHI will ensure access to health care as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, Section 27 of the Constitution |
| ii. | Social solidarity |
| 33. | NHI will provide financial risk pooling to enable cross-subsidisation between the young and old, rich and poor as well as the healthy and the sick. |
| iii. | Equity |
| 34. | NHI will ensure a fair and just health care system for all; those with the greatest health needs will be provided with timely access to health services. |
| iv. | Health care as a Public Good |
| 35. | Health care shall not be treated like any other commodity of trade, but as a social investment. |
| v. | Affordability |
| 36. | Health services will be procured at reasonable cost taking into account the need for sustainability within the context of the country's resources. |
| vi. | Efficiency |
| 37. | Health care resources will be allocated and utilised in a manner that optimizes value for money that combines allocative and productive efficiency21 by maximising health outcome for a given cost whilst using the given resources to maximum advantage, and by maximising the welfare of the community by achieving the right mixture of healthcare programmes for the entire population. |
| vii. | Effectiveness |
| 38. | The healthcare interventions covered under NHI will result in desired and expected outcomes in every day settings. NHI will ensure that the health system meets acceptable standards of quality and achieves positive health outcomes. |
| viii. | Appropriateness |
| 39. | Health care services will be delivered at appropriate levels of care through innovative service delivery models and will be tailored to local needs. |