If SA is going to successfully implement National Health Insurance (NHI), South Africans are going to have to put down the salt. [s]Health-e[/s] reports that so says [b]Deputy Minister of Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa[/b] who pointed to [b]Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa[/b] research that found one in three South Africans 15 years and older suffer from high blood pressure, which puts them at risk of the heart attacks and strokes. Ramokgopa said every day, about 370 South Africans will suffer from a heart attack or stroke – putting a huge burden on the health system. And, she added, if SA is going to achieve universal access to healthcare through the NHI, the country is going to have to do more to prevent illnesses like these. 'Salt-reduction is as cost-effective as tobacco control and has been identified as a priority intervention for non-communicable disease prevention,' Ramokgopa said.
[link url=http://www.health-e.org.za/2014/03/17/national-salt-reduction-key-nhi]Full Health-e report[/link]