SA’s National Council of Provinces has adopted the controversial National Health Insurance Bill

The SA National Council of Provinces has voted in favour of the adoption of the National Health Insurance, with eight of the nine provinces voting to approve the bill. The Western Cape voted against it. The NHI Bill aims to lay the foundation for universal healthcare in South Africa by establishing the NHI Fund, which will become the country’s single and only purchaser of healthcare services. It will now be sent to president Cyril Ramaphosa to be signed into law. Health minister Joe Phaahla says this is a historic achievement.