Health

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.