Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
08 April 2023 | 16:07 CAT

Photo credit: Unicity Healthcare

Yesterday (7 April) was World Health Day, and our country’s healthcare system is dismal. With South Africa’s healthcare system viewed, amongst others, as a reflection of the social issues the country is facing, Prof Renata Schoeman, Head of Healthcare Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School, says there is not only one solution to addressing access to healthcare.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, South African professor Renata Schoeman discusses the local healthcare system and solutions that could improve it.

Prof Schoeman says although efforts over the past almost three decades have to some degree improved the quality of care, failure in providing a basic standard of care to the more than 84% of our population reliant on public health is intensifying. The deterioration of the health care system is especially evident in certain provinces such as the Free State and Limpopo, where lack of resources, mismanagement of funds, and declining infrastructure affects the poorer communities.

She says that the healthcare system in the country needs to be seen against the backdrop of rising poverty, unemployment and inequality, where the overburdened public health system struggles to accommodate the significant challenges of meeting the increased demand for the burden of diseases – infectious diseases such as HIV and AIDS, TB and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, violence, injuries and maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions.

Prof Schoeman added that the unequal allocation of resources amongst the provinces is a worrying concern because the regions with the most significant health needs receive fewer resources.

“The Western Cape and Gauteng administrations are the two provinces that spend slightly more on healthcare than on education. This is in contrast to the other seven provinces where education is the biggest expenditure item.”

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast.