The Government on Monday (8) submitted to the Assembly of the Republic a draft law establishing the new legal framework of the National Health System, an instrument designed to modernise the sector, harmonise existing public policies, and respond to the current national health context. The proposal was presented by the Minister of Health, Ussene Hilário Isse, during a plenary session that marked the beginning of parliamentary review of the legislation.
According to the Mozambican News Agency (AIM), the bill provides for the coordinated integration of the public, private and community sectors into the health system, strengthening the role of the Ministry of Health as the regulatory and supervisory body, while the National Health Service will be responsible for implementing public policies. The minister stated that the primary objective of the reform is to ensure the protection of Mozambicans’ health, while guaranteeing lower costs and greater efficiency in the management of available resources.
“Our goal is to protect the health of Mozambicans, keeping costs as low as possible and ensuring a stronger and more organised system,” the minister affirmed, highlighting the need for coordinated action to improve access to health care.
The new model foresees the strengthening of coordination between public and private providers, introducing mechanisms that will allow patient transfers between health units nationwide. According to the Minister of Health, this measure could significantly reduce expenses related to treatments abroad by promoting internal and more sustainable solutions.
The bill consists of 63 articles spread across nine chapters, and also introduces social protection instruments, including minimum service requirements during strikes or crises. It further establishes specific provisions to reorganise the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aiming to avoid overlapping interventions and ensure greater community impact.
“Today, many NGOs operate in the same areas and provinces. The new law will enable more efficient coordination and better use of resources,” noted Ussene Isse.
Recognising that around 65% of the population lives in rural areas, the proposal reinforces the role of traditional and alternative medicine as a complementary component of the National Health System. The minister advocated for its stronger integration, valuing its contribution to meeting community needs.
During his speech, the minister also warned about the worsening of emerging public health issues, such as increased alcohol consumption and excess weight. He cited data showing that in 2007, more than 30% of Mozambicans did not consume alcohol, a percentage that dropped to 11% in 2024.
“We need a law that responds to these emerging phenomena,” he cautioned.
The minister also highlighted organ donation and transplantation as critical areas lacking domestic regulation, stressing the urgent need to strengthen national capacity in renal transplantation to reduce reliance on external solutions.
One of the key innovations in the proposal is the creation of a legal basis for the establishment of health insurance, a mechanism expected to support sustainable system financing and ease pressure on public services. According to Ussene Isse, the document has been fully aligned with international instruments and adapted to Mozambican realities.
The proposal will now be discussed by specialised parliamentary committees before returning to the plenary for final deliberation.
Source: Diário Económico
