FEATURE
Writer: Allison Cooper
NHI programme innovates public healthcare
O
ver five million
programme, known as Dab-
by the National Department
changing epidemiological
South Africans no
lapmeds, won the Public
of Health in 2014, due to
profile led to an overexten-
longer have to trav-
Sector Innovator of the Year
unprecedented growth in
sion of public sector health-
el great distances or stand
award at the recent Public
patients requiring access to
care facilities”, explains
in long queues to get their
Sector Innovation Awards.
long-term therapies.
Munsamy.
monthly chronic medication,
It also won other award
thanks to an innovative Na-
categories.
This resulted in enormous
“South Africa introduced universal access to antiret-
strain on available resourc-
roviral (ARV) therapy, and
es and contributed towards
Munsamy, NHI Techni-
there has been a steady
medicine shortages and
cal Specialist: Contract-
increase in non-commu-
challenges in the quality of
Medicines Dispensing and
ing, Head: CCMDD, the
nicable diseases requir-
care provided.
Distribution (CCMDD)
programme was launched
ing chronic therapy. This
tional Health Insurance (NHI) pilot programme.
The Central Chronic
18
According to Maggie
In addition, hospital
Public Sector Manager • April 2022
