Parliament, Wednesday 2 October 2019 – The Portfolio Committee on Health has, over the past weeks received requests from stakeholders and individuals, appealing for the extension of the closing date for written submissions on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.

The committee called for written submissions from the public on the Bill at the beginning of September 2019, and the closing date for the submissions that appeared in the advert, was 11 October 2019.

The Chairperson of the committee, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said: “We have been considering the requests from relevant stakeholders who play an important role in the delivery of healthcare in the country. Having considered these requests, we have actually agreed to extend the closing date for written submissions to 29 November 2019.”

The stakeholders proposed mid-November as the closing date for written submissions. The committee has agreed to extend the closing date by two weeks more than the time requested by the stakeholders as there will be no other extension for written submissions.

The new closing date for the written submissions does not affect the start of the public hearings that are scheduled to start on the 25th of October 2019 in Mpumalanga Province.

Written submissions must be directed to Ms Vuyokazi Majalamba and be addressed to the Portfolio Committee on Health 3rd floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town 8000, e-mailed to vmajalamba@parliament.gov.za or faxed to 086 6943279 by no later than 29 November 2019. In addition to the written comments, please indicate your interest in making a verbal presentation.

Copies of the Bill can be obtained from Ms Vuyokazi Majalamba (021) 403 3770, cell 083 709 8522 or at www.parliament.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8203 
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za