15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in South Africa

"South Africa has a comprehensive healthcare system that provides a range of services to its citizens. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all South African citizens and permanent residents. The public healthcare system is generally of good quality, with a network of public hospitals and clinics providing primary, secondary and tertiary care. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, but may be required to pay for some services. Expats in South Africa can use the public healthcare system, but may need to pay for some services. Private healthcare is also available in South Africa, and many expats opt to use private healthcare services due to the higher quality of care and shorter waiting times," commented one expat who moved to South Africa.

"I have insurance that covers hospital stays and some surgery. I also pay for "gap insurance", which pays most all of the shortfall in coverage for surgery. Result is that almost 100% of the costs were paid for the five major surgeries that we have had in the post 10 years," said one expat.

"South Africa has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private medical services available. The public healthcare system is largely funded by the government and provides free or low-cost medical services to citizens. Private medical services are also available, offering a higher standard of care and more specialized services. South Africa has a wide range of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, as well as a number of hospitals and clinics. The country also has a number of medical research centers and universities that offer medical degrees," commented one expat who moved to South Africa.

"Healthcare and health insurance in South Africa can be expensive, depending on the type of coverage and services required. Private health insurance is often more expensive than public health insurance, and the cost of medical care can vary significantly depending on the provider and the type of care needed. In addition, many South Africans struggle to afford health insurance due to the high cost of living in the country. As a result, many people rely on public health services, which are often underfunded and can be of lower quality than private services," remarked one expat living in South Africa.

"Within 5 minutes drive of an outstanding private hospital; another excellent private hospital is 15 minutes away," said one expat.

"Emergency services in South Africa are generally reliable and well-equipped. Ambulance services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To call for an ambulance, you can dial the emergency number 112 from any phone, or you can call the local emergency services number for your area. It is important to provide as much information as possible when calling for an ambulance, such as the exact location, the nature of the emergency, and any other relevant information," remarked one expat in South Africa.

"South Africa is home to a wide variety of medical specialists, with some of the best selections located in major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria. Other areas with a good selection of medical specialists include the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape. Additionally, the coastal cities of Port Elizabeth and East London are known for their excellent selection of medical specialists," said one expat.

"Yes. Most require prescriptions and they are available at any pharmacy. Virtually all the expense is covered by our insurance policy," wrote one expat.

"Yes, common prescription medications are available in South Africa. Many of the same medications that are available in other countries are also available in South Africa, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions. In addition, South Africa has a wide range of generic medications that are available at a lower cost than brand-name drugs," commented one expat who moved to South Africa.

"Medical facilities and medical care in South Africa are generally of a high quality. South Africa has a well-developed public health system, with a wide range of medical services available. The country also has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer excellent medical care. South Africa has a well-trained and experienced medical workforce, with many doctors and nurses having received their training abroad. The country also has a number of world-class medical research institutions, which are helping to improve the quality of medical care in the country," remarked one expat in South Africa.

"Yes, foreigners living in South Africa have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in South Africa is generally of a good standard, with a wide range of services available. However, there are some areas where the quality of care is not as good as in other parts of the world. In addition, access to public healthcare can be limited in some areas due to a lack of resources," said one expat living in South Africa.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the South African healthcare system. Many hospitals and clinics have been overwhelmed with the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and limited access to care. The government has implemented a number of measures to help alleviate the strain on the healthcare system, such as increasing the number of beds and staff, and providing additional funding for medical supplies. Despite these efforts, the healthcare system is still struggling to cope with the demands of the pandemic. Many people have reported difficulty accessing care, and there have been reports of shortages of essential medical supplies. The pandemic has also highlighted the need for greater investment in the healthcare system, as well as improved access to healthcare for all South Africans," remarked one expat living in South Africa.

"I wasn't in this country during the pandemic but I know if I was, I would be confident of the healthcare services," said one expat living in Cape Town.