Recent corruption allegations in the Department of Health have not shaken confidence in a NHI, said Deputy Director-General of Health Dr Nicholas Crisp in an interview with
Sunday Times (8 March 2026)
The officials involved have not been proven guilty and the NHI fund will not be run directly by the Department but by an 11-member board, said Crisp. According to him corruption in the Department reflects wider problems in society rather than a uniquely systemic issue.
Although he acknowledged that procurement changes created opportunities for abuse, Crisp insisted that policy design should not be based on the actions of a few individuals.
He emphasised that NHI is not intended to deliver healthcare but to finance it, with both public and private providers responsible for services. NHI’s goal is to change how healthcare is paid for to improve outcomes and efficiency, said Crisp.
Current public and private healthcare spending is estimated at about R650bn annually.
According to Crisp scrapping medical scheme tax credits could ultimately boost NHI revenue once the credits are gradually withdrawn. He also dismissed concerns about limited Treasury support, noting that implementation has not yet begun and awaits Constitutional Court rulings and the appointment of an NHI Board.