WHO chief celebrates ‘historic milestone’ of universal health coverage in South Africa

May 17. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, celebrated this Thursday the “historic milestone” of the promulgation of the universal health coverage law in South Africa.

“A historic milestone towards health for all in South Africa. Thank you, my brother, President Cyril Ramaphosa, for your leadership,” said the head of the WHO through his profile on the social network X.

The day before, Ramaphosa signed into law a law described as “an achievement in the country’s continuing quest” for a fairer society and which aims to provide universal health coverage, just two weeks before the general election. .

The rule will limit the role of private insurance, create a new public fund to provide free access, and set rates for private health care. Opponents of the measure have said the plan will strain finances, limit patient options and undermine the quality of the system.