Private health sector defends price increases

The Health Minister says climate change has contributed to an increase in malaria and cholera cases

The private health sector says although it remains committed to improving affordability and access to adequate quality healthcare for all South Africans, the CPIX is not an accurate benchmark for healthcare costs.

The Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) says internationally, the measurement of costs is subject to a medical inflation indicator, which in turn, is based on a number of realities that are endemic to the medical sector. The association says the CPIX is not used internationally as a benchmark against which medical costs are determined.

Its statement follows yesterday's meeting with Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang in Cape Town.

Private hospital group, Netcare, says regulating the costs of private medical aid schemes and hospitals is not the solution to ensuring health accessibility to all. The Minister announced after the meeting that she would seek changes to legislation to contain spiralling health costs.

Netcare CEO Richard Friedland says there was not enough consultation.

Nurses’ union welcomes regulations
Meanwhile, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has commended the Health Ministry for announcing plans to regulate the private health care industry.

The union says this is long overdue, as private health care needs to be regulated for the benefit of the general public.

Nehawu declared its views in a statement issued after the Minister announced that she would be approaching Parliament with a proposal to legislate the private health care industry.