South Africa Healthcare Market Will be Led by Progressive Policies Adopted by the
Government, Rise in Population & Increase in Average Spending on Healthcare of the
Country: Ken Research
The growth in the Healthcare industry of South Africa can be attributed to the increasing
and ageing population, rise in consumption of healthcare facilities due to increase in average
spending on healthcare.
South Africa is the biggest economies in Africa after Nigeria. The access to basic healthcare
services has improved in the country; however, the pressure on public healthcare facilities
(hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories etc.) has increased substantially in recent years.
There is a stark divide in healthcare between the rich and the poor of South Africa. The
public healthcare system is large, under-resourced and overburdened, whereas the private
healthcare sector in the country is well funded and well equipped. The private sector is
highly concentrated and dominated by the presence of a few big players; Netcare Limited,
The life Healthcare Group Limited and Mediclinic Southern Africa.
South Africa is one of the best regions in Africa for manufacturing of pharmaceutical
availability of cheap labour, world class infrastructure and introduction of South African
Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). SAHPRA has replaced MCC and will
work towards reducing the time taken to launch a product in the market. The indigenous
pharmaceutical companies majorly manufacture generic drugs. International companies in
the country majorly operate in partnership with a local company. The medical devices
market is majorly dependant on imports. The medical devices in public hospitals, clinics and
diagnostic labs require to be updated. The private healthcare establishment on the other
hand uses the latest equipments and contributes substantial revenue to the overall market.