Health
From The Report: South Africa 2013
View in Online Reader

With the continent’s largest health care sector, South Africa’s government has focused heavy investment in the industry, and its thriving private sector is keeping pace, accounting for about half of overall spending. Indeed, spending on health care in South Africa exceeds the WHO’s recommended levels, with 8.3% of GDP spent in 2011 compared to the suggested 5%. While resources are relatively ample, the country faces serious challenges, both in terms of public health and in the structure of the health care system, which provides very unequal outcomes. Nevertheless, the proposed NHI scheme is set to radically reform the South African health system and aims to ensure that all citizens have access to high-quality health care services.
This chapter contains interviews with Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health; and Richard Friedland, CEO, Netcare.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Investment and reform: Facing structural challenges, a system overhaul is under way to improve provision
OBG
plus

With the continent’s largest health care sector, South Africa’s government has focused heavy investment in the industry, and its thriving private sector is keeping pace, accounting for about half of overall spending. Between them, per capita spending on health care is among the highest on the continent, and outstrips that of many other emerging markets. While resources are relatively ample, South Africa faces serious challenges, both in terms of public health and in the structure of the health…

Interview

OBG talks to Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health
OBG
plus

Interview:Dr Aaron Motsoaledi Private medical insurers contend that an ageing population and rising medical costs necessitate the escalation of premiums. Is this claim justified? DR AARON MOTSOALEDI: In 2010 total premiums for medical aid schemes stood at R84.7bn ($10.3bn), of which R30bn ($3.7bn) went to private hospitals and R19bn ($2.3bn) to specialists. What these groups charge has a significant impact on medical aid prices. A public enquiry by the South African Human Rights Commission…

Interview

OBG talks to Richard Friedland, CEO, Netcare
OBG
plus

Interview:Richard Friedland To what degree is the government considering the private sector as a prospective contributor towards its National Health Insurance (NHI) system? RICHARD FRIEDLAND: In South Africa, as in most countries, the government’s view is that health care should be free at the point of access and one should not unduly profit from its provision. There will thus always be some friction regarding the role and contribution of the private sector. If one analyses what the NHI…

Analysis

Prescribing change: Alongside a full-scale health system overhaul, pharmaceuticals regulation is also being reformed
OBG
plus

Ture and functions, with responsibility of making drug-registration decisions. The council was made up of a group of part-time functionaries largely appointed from universities and research institutions, slowing decision-making, as the members met only occasionally. The MCC received on average 800 applications for licensing a year, but was only able to handle around 200, though some drugs, particularly anti-retrovirals, were fast-tracked. The delays meant that the pharmaceuticals industry was losing…