PUBLIC SECTOR
Challenges facing healthcare system are structural rather than clinical
Healthcare services in SA are set to undergo drastic reforms with the recent promulgation of the long-awaited National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill and Medical Schemes Amendment Bill. These reforms are meant to address what has seemingly become a national outcry over inefficient public healthcare services and inaccessible private healthcare. Accessing quality health services is nigh on impossible for many South Africans as they have to contend with generally poor services in the public sector or unaffordable medical bills from private health facilities. Public health facilities remain the only option for the more than 42-million citizens who do not have private health insurance, who are evidently growing more ill by the day. SA has the highest level of HIV prevalence in the world, TB remains the leading cause of death and lifestyle diseases are on the rise.
It is not as if health authorities are sitting idle: they are continuously waging a seemingly losing battle to reduce the ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.