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No health insurance for 84% in SA
by Anso Thom
2001-10-18

The fact that 84% of the population is not covered by medical aid or health insurance, indicates the importance of the public sector health services. This is according to the National Treasury's Intergovernmental Fiscal Review. The National Health Accounts Projects reports that in 1999, less than 20 % of the population was covered by private institutional financing intermediaries. These include medical schemes - covering 16% of the population - health insurance products, and workplaces' health services provided by private firms. However, according to the Review, as many as 30% of non-scheme members may use private services on a direct payment basis. Another indicator is the number of private sector hospital beds compared with the public sector. Private hospital beds increased from 16 415 to 24 537 in 2000. Public sector hospitals have over 110 000 beds. Private healthcare expenditure increased at a rate double that of inflation between 19960 and 1998, from R24,7-billion to R33,3-billion. There have also been steep rises in medical aid rates, as gross contributions per member increased by 20,1 % in 1997 and 12,9% in 1998. By 1999, only 16,4% of the population belonged to medical AIDS, leaving a bigger proportion of the population to rely on the public sector. (Source : The Star, 17 October 2001)

The fact that 84% of the population is not covered by medical aid or health insurance, indicates the importance of the public sector health services.

This is according to the National Treasury's Intergovernmental Fiscal Review.

The National Health Accounts Projects reports that in 1999, less than 20 % of the population was covered by private institutional financing intermediaries. These include medical schemes - covering 16% of the population - health insurance products, and workplaces' health services provided by private firms.

However, according to the Review, as many as 30% of non-scheme members may use private services on a direct payment basis.

Broadening access to the appropriate services remains a major challenge ... With less funding, the public sector has to care for a much larger number of people than the private sector, the Review stated.

Another indicator is the number of private sector hospital beds compared with the public sector. Private hospital beds increased from 16 415 to 24 537 in 2000. Public sector hospitals have over 110 000 beds.

Private healthcare expenditure increased at a rate double that of inflation between 19960 and 1998, from R24,7-billion to R33,3-billion.

There have also been steep rises in medical aid rates, as gross contributions per member increased by 20,1 % in 1997 and 12,9% in 1998.

By 1999, only 16,4% of the population belonged to medical AIDS, leaving a bigger proportion of the population to rely on the public sector.

Source : The Star, 17 October 2001

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