The ANC welcomes the setting up of the National Health Insurance, NHI war room which brings together various key departments to address the crisis in the public health system while at the same time preparing for the implementation of the NHI. We have realised the magnitude of the challenges in the health care as well as the need to reduce inequality in access to health care in order to ensure that South Africans have access to comprehensive quality health services irrespective of their socio-economic status. This is why the urgency to establish the NHI and quality war room in the Presidency is significant as it will ensure that there are no hurdles in our movement towards universal health coverage.