Knowledge and perception of oral health professionals regarding the National Health Insurance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/sadj.v78i09.16600Keywords:
Knowledge, perceptions, National Health InsuranceAbstract
Oral health professionals (OHPs) are key stakeholders in the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa. Therefore, the views of this cohort on the NHI are invaluable to the successful implementation of the programme.
The aim of the study was to explore the perception of OHPs regarding the NHI. This national study was conducted with eligible OHPs in
South Africa. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with 377 OHPs. Data was collected using an electronic semi structured questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 28 was used to analyse data. Of the 377 respondents, the majority were female (58.9%), dentists or specialists (52.0%), public sector employees (53.6%), had a postgraduate qualification (58.4%) and had
a maximum 10 years’ working experience (67.6%). Overall, most participants (231 = 61.3%) were knowledgeable and had positive expectations about the NHI. Yet, 180 (47.7%) perceived the NHI would have a deleterious impact on the private sector and oral health in general 203 (53.8%). A total of 165 (43.8%) OHPs believed the NHI would fail, while 287 (76.1%) thought the NHI should be amended or combined (210 = 55.7%) with existing medical schemes. OHPs were knowledgeable and positive about the NHI. However, serious concerns prevail in this cohort regarding implementation and impact of the NHI, especially in the private sector.
Downloads
References
Béland D, Rocco P, Waddan A. Obamacare and the politics of universal health insurance coverage in the United States. Social Policy & Administration 2016;50(4):428-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12237
Kwon S. Thirty years of national health insurance in South Korea: lessons for achieving universal health care coverage. Health policy and planning 2009;24(1):63- 71. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czn037
Gobah FF, Liang Z. The National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: prospects and challenges: a cross-sectional evidence. Global Journal of Health Science 2011;3(2):90. https://doi:10.5539/gjhs.v3n2p90
Adebisi SA, Odiachi JM, Chikere NA. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Nigeria: Has the policy achieved its intended objectives. AJES 2019;5(3):97-104
Jowett M, Kutzin J, Organization WH. Raising revenues for health in support of UHC: strategic issues for policy makers: World Health Organization; 2015
National Department of Health. National health insurance for South Africa: towards universal health coverage. Government Gazette 2015;1230:1-97. http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/National_Health_Insurance_White_Paper_10Dec2015.pdf (accessed 10 January 2016)
Freund B. The South African developmental state and the first attempt to create a national health system: Another look at the Gluckman Commission of 1942-1944. South African Historical Journal 2012;64(2):170-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/02582473.2011.640708
Pauw TL. Catching up with the constitution: An analysis of National Health Insurance in South Africa post-apartheid. Development Southern Africa 2022;39(6):921-34. https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1945911
Amollo R. In pursuit of health equity in South Africa A critique of the proposed national health insurance: legislation & policy review. ESR Review: Economic and Social Rights in South Africa 2009;10(3):14-17
Shisana O. A national health system: opportunities and challenges for South Africa: opening address. 2008.
Seekings J. The broader importance of welfare reform in South Africa. Social Dynamics 2002;28(2):1-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 02533950208458731
Blecher M, Jacobs T, Mclntyre D. General practitioners and national health insurance results of a national survey. South African Medical Journal 1999;89(5)
Adeniyi AA, Sofola OO, Kalliecharan RV. An appraisal of the oral health care system in Nigeria. International dental journal 2012;62(6):292-300. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1875-595X.2012.00122.x
du Venage G. South Africa comes to standstill with Eskom’s load shedding. Engineering and Mining Journal 2020;221(1):18-18
Bezuidenhout S, Matlala M. Assessment of the knowledge of healthcare workers at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa regarding the South African National Health Insurance Scheme: understanding the National Health Insurance Scheme. African Journal for Physical Health Education, Recreation and Dance 2014;20(sup-1):234-43
Setswe G, Muyanga S, Witthuhn J, Nyasulu P. Public awareness and knowledge of the National Health Insurance in South Africa. Pan African Medical Journal 2015;22(1). https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2015.22.19.6131
Knaul FM, González-Pier E, Gómez-Dantés O, et al. The quest for universal health coverage: achieving social protection for all in Mexico. The Lancet 2012;380(9849):1259-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61068-X
Theron N, Erasmus M, van Lill W, van Niekerk A, Rich E. Comments on select aspects of the NHI White Paper: Occasional Note Econex: Trade. Competition & Applied Economics. Retrieved 2016
Khuzwayo PB. The views of primary health care nurses towards the National Health Insurance (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Public and Development Management) 2015
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
.png){kind=spacer}