The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) welcomes the publication of the draft Healthcare Charter and is fully supportive of the fundamental principles espoused in chapter one of the document

“Generally the draft Charter is a positive document which has identified many issues which need addressing,� commented Vishal Brijlal, Head, Advocacy and Research at the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF). “However, it deals principally with high-level conceptual issues and does not provide much detail on possible solutions or implementation of measures to resolve them. While we certainly welcome the fact that this document’s now on the table, we believe strongly that mere documentary submission of comment (as called for by the Ministry) will be inadequate. It is vital that all stakeholders from every sector of the healthcare industry be intimately involved in further consultation, negotiation and debate. It is important that we appreciate just how close or how far apart we are on crucial matters.�

Brijlal also pointed out that the draft Healthcare Charter differs quite significantly from other charters which have been published to date, and deviates from the best practice principles laid down for charters by the Department of Trade & Industry. “This is not to say that there should be no deviation,� he explained, “but we would like clarification on the need for and reason behind those deviations.

The divide between public and private healthcare sectors is an area where Brijlal sees the need for considerable debate, both within the two sectors and with government.
“Comparing the public and private sectors on the basis of the amount of money spent within each is not appropriate,� he pointed out. “The two sectors differ quite substantially in nature, the public sector being a more involuntary model, in that those using it do not have the means to choose alternatives. The private sector is voluntary – people using it elect to do so and to spend their money in the way they choose. Considerably more thought and discussion are needed to find ways of defining the differences and bridging the gap. No indication at all has been given of any targets, dates or solutions and if true transformation is to take place, these must all be identified clearly.�

“The BHF, as a highly active member of the Private Healthcare Forum (PHF), which represents 80%-85% of the private healthcare sector, believes firmly that the PHF itself, as well as all industry stakeholders, should pool their efforts to find appropriate, feasible and sustainable solutions to the issues raised in the draft Charter,� continued Brijlal. “We believe that we have the capacity and the resources to devise practical solutions which we can suggest to the Minister. Healthcare is an emotional issue and it is thus all the more important for all role players to focus collectively on concrete solutions, not on the problems.

From medical schemes point of view, much is said in the document about the way in which schemes do business and to the environment within which they operate, but little is said about what they should be doing to rectify problem areas. “Once again, much work is required to identify alternatives and implement solutions – this will require the concerted effort of all within the industry, and the BHF looks forward to playing a leading and constructive role in this process.�