For this individual assignment, you are tasked with writing an opinion article, in a journalistic style, outlining current discussions about the state of hospital care in South Africa. The opinion we want you to share is whether or not you think the NHI will be a force for good in reforming healthcare in South Africa, notably the provision of hospital care, or whether there are better alternatives for funding and managing hospital care.

In the news there have been a number of pieces about state hospitals in Johannesburg, notably Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital. But there have also been a number of articles about rural hospitals in KZN and the Eastern Cape. The news seldomly reports on hospitals in the Private Sector $$ why is this? And with NHI on the horizon, journalists have raised concerns about centralisation, quality and preparedness. And to add to matters, the public sectors faces billions of rands worth of litigation due to irregularities, largely in state run hospitals. The context in which NHI will unfold is complex and needs consideration and discussion.

Issue around the provision of healthcare remain an important point of discussion for many South Africans. However, some forms of journalism can be sensationalist and make the current situation seem alarming, out$-$of$-$control or hopeless. As such, it is always important to consider different sides to a story in its telling, noting that not everyone who reads such articles have all the contextual background. Importantly, health journalism offers an avenue to engage with the wider public, and it is important to strike a balance between oversimplification and using too much jargon or context specific knowledge.

For this assignment, you are tasked with doing sound research by reading both academic and non$-$academic sources and writing in a way that is not overly academic but shows that your claims have substance. Consider who your audience is$,$ what the tone of your writing should be$,$ and how to provide a balanced discussion about the state of hospital care in South Africa. Feel free to share your views but make sure to justify your thinking at the same time. $$

Things to consider before starting your opinion piece

When writing an opinion piece, it is important to ask yourself a few questions before you even begin to write. Asking these questions will aid you in shaping your piece, and in planning your ideas:

$$ Who is my audience? Are they familiar with healthcare terminology, or will I need to be mindful of the terms I use, and the level of explanations that I give?

$$ What is the purpose or intention of writing this piece? Do I want only to share information, or will there be an element of persuasion?

$$ What should the style of my piece be$?$ Is it formal, informal, or a mix of both? What will my word choice $($also known as diction$)$ be$?$

$$ How should I organise my points? What is my main argument, and how will I unpack the information in each of the paragraphs?

$$ What specific, concrete examples and details can I use to back up each of my points?

Your opinion article should be positioned from the perspective of a health system science student, directed to the general public. It is important to draw on evidence in support of the opinion you put forward and you should provide examples from different sources to contextualize your standpoint.