The Green and White Papers on the NHI system could be ready for public comment and consultation by the end of the year, the Health Ministry says.

Implementing National Health Insurance was one of the department’s priorities between 2009 and 2014, said deputy Health Minister Dr Molefi Sefularo.

Government will make public its long-promised proposals for a National Health Insurance scheme as soon as they are ready, it said on Tuesday.

The proposed national health insurance is urgent and necessary, but there are serious obstacles, not least the real cost.

The government should review the ”lavish and unnecessary privileges” public servants receive, Nehawu said on Monday.