'€œThe case of change in health care financing in South Africa through the introduction of mandatory NHI health is both strong and urgent. The case for change should also be considered in the light of the lack of achievement of the Millennium Development Goals for health, and the stagnation and even deterioration in mortality rates and life expectancy.'€ '€“ Confidential National Health Insurance (NHI) Policy Proposal (February 2011)

DURBAN '€“ Every electoral district is set to have a primary health care nurse-driven team established in future with specialist doctor teams assigned to districts where maternal and child mortality is high, the health department has revealed.

The Khayelitsha programme was the first in South Africa to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) at primary care level in the public sector.

Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi tabled his 2011/2 budget in parliament on Tuesday. The health department's budget has increased from 21,7 billion in the 2010/11 financial year to 25,7 billion in the 2011/12 financial year.