Politics

South Africa: President Ramaphosa signs major health bill two weeks before election

Published

7 months ago

May 17, 2024

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a measure into law on Wednesday that promises to offer universal health coverage, hailing it as a significant step towards a more equitable society, two weeks before a fiercely competitive election.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Act aspires to create a two-tier health system, with a publicly financed sector serving 84% of the population and private insurance providing access to better treatment.

Opponents have pledged to challenge it in court and labelled it as a ploy for votes, which the presidency disputed, ahead of an election in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is trying to keep its legislative majority after 30 years.

The legislation will gradually reduce the role of private insurance, establish a new public fund to give free access to South African people, and regulate the fees and prices that private doctors and healthcare providers can charge for NHI-funded benefits.

“The provision of healthcare in this country is fragmented, unsustainable and unacceptable,” said Ramaphosa, framing the legislation as a solution to inequalities that date back to the apartheid era.

“For those who would like to see (their) privileges continuing, sorry, you are on the wrong boat. The boat we are on is about equality,” he said at a signing ceremony at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria.

Opponents argue that the plan will deplete already-strained public funds, limit patient choice, lower care quality, and drive talented doctors out of the nation.

According to industry and political commentators, the legislation is expected to be mired in litigation for years, with the funding model being the most contentious issue. The government has stated that the National Treasury will select the NHI’s funding sources, which will include an obligatory pre-payment system and other forms of levies.

Big local health insurers, such as Discovery Momentum Metropolitan Health and AfroCentric, say they support universal health coverage but disagree with the proposed funding approach.

“There is no funding plan yet and given the country’s constrained fiscal position, low economic growth and narrow tax base, this can only be solved in the longer term,” said Adrian Gore, group CEO of Discovery.

“We see no scenario in which there is sufficient funding for a workable and comprehensive NHI in its current form.”

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.