Trade Union Solidarity on Friday raised concerns with government’s “celebration” of what it termed an “unrealistic” future for the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, with the erecting of billboards across the country, promoting the proposed scheme.

Solidarity Research Institute economic researcher Theuns du Buisson said this contributes to the “injustice” towards the South African taxpayer who already has had to fork out millions in preparation for the NHI.

“Nonetheless, Solidarity notes how the government not only defends the unworkable NHI plans but even boasts about them, as can be seen on billboards along the highways. How does the government justify the costs incurred for giant billboards celebrating the upcoming NHI when it is struggling financially in almost every area,” he said.

Du Buisson described government’s marketing as a pipedream, as he noted that unemployed doctors in the Eastern Cape are protesting, and hospitals in the Western Cape can now only accommodating a quarter of the number of internships it had available for training three years ago.

He claimed that millions have already been spent on preparations for the NHI, most of which he believes was wasted owing to the “unfeasibility of the plan”.

Du Buisson called attention to estimates from various interest groups opposed to the NHI, which he said indicate how devastating the financial burden of the NHI would be for South African workers.

He questioned where the State will get the funds for the estimated cost of the scheme.

“The state does not know the answer to this question, and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi could not care less. According to these estimates, average personal income tax will have to increase by R37 000 per year. This is not only outrageous. It is impossible,” he said.