President Ramaphosa Urges Stakeholders to Join Efforts for Presidential Health Compact

“We believe there is good reason for these stakeholders to be involved in the work needed to achieve the aims of the compact,” said the President.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on stakeholders to engage in efforts aimed at achieving the goals of the Presidential Health Compact, despite concerns raised by some sectors, particularly business, regarding the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. The President made these remarks during an oral question session in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament on Thursday.

Responding to a query about whether he had addressed stakeholders' concerns before signing the second Presidential Health Compact, Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of multisectoral involvement in strengthening South Africa’s healthcare system. He acknowledged that some business representatives chose not to sign the compact due to concerns about the NHI, but expressed confidence that their participation is crucial to the compact's success.

“We believe there is good reason for these stakeholders to be involved in the work needed to achieve the aims of the compact,” said the President. He explained that the compact is designed to foster a capable, compassionate, and well-equipped workforce, strengthen local manufacturing of health products, and ensure that health infrastructure meets high-quality standards. Furthermore, the compact seeks to use private sector expertise to promote equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.

Launched in 2019, the Presidential Health Compact is a framework for cooperation between various sectors—including government, business, labour, civil society, academia, traditional and allied health practitioners, and patient user groups. The second iteration of the compact, signed last month, focuses on strengthening the healthcare system and preparing it for the full implementation of the NHI.

The 2024–2029 compact builds on the progress made through the National Quality Improvement Plan, aiming to ensure that both public and private healthcare facilities provide users with the same high standard of care. It also seeks to promote community engagement and inclusivity in the health sector.

A key objective of the compact is the affordable and corruption-free implementation of the NHI, which Ramaphosa believes all stakeholders can support. He encouraged continued engagement, noting that the compact’s implementation will be overseen by a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Steering Committee, which includes representatives from all stakeholder groups.

“We hope all stakeholders will use this forum to engage,” Ramaphosa said. He expressed optimism that, through collaboration on shared goals, significant improvements in the quality of healthcare for all South Africans can be achieved.