Solidarity takes government to court over NHI

South African labour union Solidarity challenged the government’s new health insurance law in court and urged other groups to join its legal battle.

The employee group filed court papers on May 24 seeking to overturn the National Health Insurance Act, according to an emailed statement. The legislation was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 15.

“Solidarity believes the NHI is unconstitutional as well as being unworkable and unaffordable,” the labour union said. “It deprives healthcare workers as well as healthcare users of choice.”

The so-called NHI aims to fix South Africa’s dysfunctional health system and make access to treatment more equitable, while banning the private sector from insuring treatment covered under the plan.

Opposition parties and business lobby groups have argued the program is unconstitutional and have also vowed to challenge it in court.