Look Out - Here Comes the NHI! Frost & Sullivan Explores the Implications

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The proposal for a National Health Insurance (NHI) was without doubt the most significant development in South Africa's healthcare sector in 2009. The aim of the NHI is to create universal healthcare coverage for all of the country's citizens.

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The NHI will have a significant effect on the fortunes of most players in the South African market, including hospital groups, medical schemes and medical device vendors. It is however difficult to forecast what the effects will be, as the structure of the NHI and the potential role of each of these players has not been clarified.

"This uncertainty is leading to various assumptions and preparations for a worst case scenario," says Frost & Sullivan healthcare team leader Lizelle Wentzel. "The question everyone wants an answer to is: 'Will there be a positive end to this endeavour?'"

To offer decision makers a perspective on the likely implications of the NHI, Frost & Sullivan will be hosting an online analyst briefing on Thursday, 4 March 2010 at 2:00pm GMT/ 4:00pm CAT. In this briefing, Frost & Sullivan will investigate a few scenarios that may result from the implementation of the NHI and discuss their potential impact on the local market.

Any company that has an investment or interest in local healthcare will benefit from this briefing. This includes the business and financial sector as well as any medical-related company – medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers or suppliers, services companies such as private hospital groups, and medical insurance companies.

"The mention of the NHI has led to uncertainty in the industry," says Frost & Sullivan healthcare analyst Lizelle Wentzel." A lack of transparency as to how the system will work has caused speculation and assumptions being made by various role players, which has created a need for some kind of forecast for the impact the NHI will have on businesses."

To participate in this briefing, please email Patrick Cairns at [email protected] with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail, address, company website and country. Upon receipt of the above information, a registration link will be e-mailed to you. You may also register to receive a recorded version of the briefing at anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan