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Healthcare System information/Insurance news |
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General healthcare in South Africa is divided, with services for wealthier individuals comparing to most developed nations, to services for the majority of the population failing to meet the standards for basic medical care and coverage. Both public and private public systems exist and function in tandem with each other. That said, however, the two systems could not be any more different. The public system works to serve the needs of around 80 percent of the population, but it ultimately fails to achieve this due to being chronically understaffed and underfunded. The private system, on the other hand serves the remaining 20 percent of the population, which is also the wealthiest group, with medical services being much higher than those of the public system. The private sector is experiencing strong growth, through the support of private organizations and commercial enterprise and caters to middle and high income earners, as well as to foreigners that seek high quality service for medical procedures at prices that are more affordable than those in other developed countries. This disparity in medical care shows the continual influences of the old apartheid systems that ended in 1994. South Africa spent 8.7% of its GDP on health services, which breaks down to US$437 per capita. The percentage of the medical spending that was government expenditure was 42%.
Expenditures for pharmaceuticals are also subject to this wide gap and disparity. The year 2000 saw roughly 8.25 billion Rand spent on drugs, with only 24% of this figure coming from the government. Given this break down, in terms of per capita spending for drugs, $59.36 Rand was spent per person in the public sector in comparison with $800.29 Rand in the private sector. This figure is further exacerbated by the fact that most medical and healthcare professionals work for the private sector, while close to 40% of pharmacists also gravitate in that direction as well. The number of hospitals in the private sector also continues to grow with the number rising from 161 to over 200 in the last 4 years. The mining industries in South Africa also have access to their own private hospitals, numbering 60 in the nation. As the public sector just struggles to provide primary health services in their poorly run clinics, private hospitals have branched out to handle many tertiary and specialized health needs. The government has yet to figure out a viable solution for its weak health system, and because of this there will continue to be a large gap between the healthcare services provided in wealthier provinces like Gauteng and the Western Cape versus the Eastern Cape.
Of all the health issues affecting South Africa, none is more pressing and urgent than the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its effects on the South African people, economy, and the governments ability to handle it. South Africa is thought to have more people with HIV/AIDS than any other nation. In 2007 there were roughly 5.7 million people living with the disease, nearly one sixth of the worlds HIV/AIDS population. These numbers are even more alarming given the fact that only 28% of persons living with advanced forms of the disease were receiving anti-retroviral treatment. This has led to over 350,000 deaths due to the disease just in 2007. While the number of infections in older groups has stayed constant, the numbers amongst younger groups and teenagers is slightly declining, with figures for prevalence in the 15-19 age groups falling from close to 20% in the early part of the decade, to 13% in 2007. The disease is even more deadly when there is a co-infection with tuberculosis, with about one in four deaths from TB being HIV related. Prevention programs have begun to test for HIV in people who are receiving treatment for tuberculosis. This has improved the figures in the number of people with TB being tested for HIV, from 4% in 2004 to 37% in 2007. South Africa will continue to try and combat this serious health issue, with the help of financial support from international organizations and developed nations to increase treatment for individuals, and educate the masses on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and the necessary precautions to avoid transmission.
Given South Africa’s current healthcare systems in place, the following issues should be considered when planning a trip to the nation. Hospital treatment in most major cities, primarily in private hospitals will be good and probably more cost effective than in other developed nations. That said, medical services in rural and more remote areas will not be able to handle serious medical conditions, and air evacuation will be the only option. This is always a very expensive procedure. There have been outbreaks of cholera as well as cases of rabies in the country. You should be aware to follow local reports, and drink only boiled and bottled water. Most importantly, all the necessary precautions should be taken to avoid HIV/AIDS in the country. Make sure all of your vaccinations are up to date. Last but not least, it is highly recommended that you obtain a comprehensive international medical and travel insurance policy for your travels to South Africa. This ensures that you will be covered for any medical emergencies that may arise, so you can be free from worry about these issues on your visit to the country.
For more information about the South Africa, international medical insurance that we can provide, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today. |
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