Trade union Solidarity has sent a legal letter to the deputy director-general of the National Health Insurance (NHI), Nicholas Crisp, demanding that he cease advertising vacancies for the state-run health scheme – because it doesn’t yet exist.
The Department of Health has started advertising positions specifically for the NHI, with 44 jobs listed in an August newsletter. This, despite the NHI Bill still in Parliament being processed and nowhere near being finalised, Solidarity said.
The union is threatening legal action if Crisp does not withdraw the advertisements, reports Business Tech.
“Dr Crisp’s own statement on the NHI is that no official announcements can be made regarding its roll-out or implementation as the Bill has yet to go before Parliament. Solidarity, therefore, finds it worrying that he is voicing conflicting opinions and apparently is persisting with the implementation process,” the union said.
Solidarity said that the lawfulness of the appointments and the financial impact of such posts on the fiscus should be questioned.
The positions advertised are far more involved than requiring mere technical skills as they are for senior management positions, the remuneration of which amounts to millions per year.
The union said the advertisements clearly indicate the government is determined to implement its plans without regard for established democratic processes.
Earlier this week, the Health Department said it would proceed with the roll-out of the NHI despite court challenges against it.
A High Court ruling in June found that sections 36 to 40 of the NHA – relating to “certificates of need” – were unconstitutional. The sections are vital to the roll-out of NHI, as they underpin the government’s ability to force doctors and other health professionals to work where it desires.
In a written parliamentary Q&A this past week, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said that, while the department is appealing the ruling, it will not wait for a legal outcome and will continue laying the groundwork for the NHI.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Solidarity: Judgment reserved in application to have NHI ‘certificate of need’ declared invalid
Crisp: We’re not going to backtrack on implementation of NHI
Crisp says Health budget has to be bigger if NHI goals are to become a reality