The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is developing a provincial universal health coverage strategy through a collaborative think tank, offering an alternative approach to the national health insurance model.
The department presented progress on the Universal Health Coverage Think Tank to the Standing Committee yesterday outlining plans for an integrated health system built on partnerships between government, private healthcare providers, academia and civil society.
The initiative centres on primary health care as the foundation for equitable access to medical services. Key components include mapping all healthcare providers in the province, developing shared referral pathways between public and private facilities, and defining a base package of care available to all residents.
The strategy draws on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the success of public-private partnerships. During the pandemic, the province’s Silver Command initiative enabled healthcare facilities to expand testing capacity, secure additional intensive care and high-care beds, and mobilise private healthcare professionals to support the public system.
The think tank, established under the provincial health minister, aims to reduce fragmentation in healthcare delivery whilst strengthening people-centred services. The approach focuses on integrating services at local level, ensuring residents can access essential healthcare in their areas.
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Memory Booysen, DA Western Cape spokesperson on health and wellness, said the province was demonstrating that universal health coverage could be achieved through partnership and innovation.
“The Western Cape continues to demonstrate that achieving universal health coverage is possible through partnership, innovation and responsible governance, without exposing residents to the risks associated with an unworkable and highly prescriptive NHI model,” Booysen said.
The department plans to prioritise implementation, shared learning and continuous improvement throughout 2026, using existing governance platforms.
The provincial model differs from the National Health Insurance scheme, which proposes a centralised, government-run system. The Western Cape approach maintains collaboration between public and private sectors rather than replacing the current healthcare structure.
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