Medical aid remains central to accessing private healthcare in South Africa, but members can no longer assume it will cover the full cost of treatment. In 2026, increases in medical scheme contributions have continued to put household budgets under pressure. Healthcare cost inflation is also running well above consumer inflation, while many scheme options have introduced more co-payments, sub-limits and…
Tag: private healthcare
-
Health Insurance Growth Reshapes Private Healthcare Market
Health insurance is now the fastest-growing segment of South Africa’s private healthcare market, driven by consumers seeking more affordable options than traditional medical aid. Momentum Health estimates the health insurance market is growing by 14% to 16% annually, significantly outpacing the largely stagnant medical scheme sector. Over 1.2 million principal members now hold health insurance policies, covering nearly 2 million…
-
Calls for Drug Company Nationalisation After Adcock Job Cuts
Calls for drug company nationalisation have been made by the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa). These calls follow plans by Adcock Ingram to retrench more than 240 workers. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei said South Africa’s pharmaceutical sector had lost about 2,500 direct jobs over the past 18 months. He noted that nine local manufacturing plants closed during…
-
Shingrix launch in South Africa Raises Access Concerns
A more effective shingles vaccine is expected to become available in South Africa by the end of June 2026. However, its price and planned private-sector launch could place it beyond the reach of many patients. Shingrix is manufactured by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, or GSK. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority recently registered the vaccine. SAHPRA registration means Shingrix can…
-
National Health Insurance: ConCourt Ruling Sparks Policy Rethink
South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently delivered a landmark judgment. The court struck down sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act. These specific clauses contained the controversial “certificate of need” scheme. Under those rules, individual healthcare providers would have required state permission to establish practices. Officials wanted to dictate exactly where medical facilities could operate. Instead of viewing this…
-
Netcare Growth Expectations Cut After GEMS Benefit Changes
Private hospital group Netcare has trimmed its full-year outlook. This decision follows sudden benefit adjustments by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). South Africa’s largest medical scheme for public sector workers introduced strict cost-cutting measures. These alterations will inevitably impact patient volumes across the private hospital sector. Why Netcare Growth Expectations Were Revised Downwards The scheme’s popular Tanzanite One option…
-
Concourt Ruling Strips Government Of Private Sector Controls
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) project has suffered a significant legal setback. The recent ConCourt Ruling confirmed that key provisions in the National Health Act are unconstitutional and invalid. The unanimous judgment was written by Justice Kate Savage. It upheld a high court order declaring sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act inconsistent with the Constitution. These…
-
Medical Aid Schemes Face Crisis As Young Members Exit
The intense debate around National Health Insurance (NHI) often dominates the news in South Africa. This focus has obscured a severe crisis within the private healthcare sector. The traditional funding model is under immense pressure. Private healthcare relies heavily on cross-subsidisation. Younger, healthier members pay premiums that fund the care of older, sicker individuals. This system only functions when enough…
-
Netcare CEO Transition: Melanie Da Costa Named Successor
Netcare has confirmed a high-profile leadership handover that will reshape the top team at one of South Africa’s biggest private healthcare groups. The JSE-listed company has appointed long-serving executive Melanie Da Costa as its next chief executive officer, with a phased transition that runs through 2026 and into 2027. Da Costa is currently Executive Director for Strategy and Health Policy.…
-
Certificate of Need Ruling Forces Health Licensing Rethink
South Africa’s Certificate of Need Ruling has reset the policy debate on where health professionals may practise. On Monday, 18 May 2026, the Constitutional Court confirmed that provisions allowing the state to control where doctors and nurses work are unconstitutional. The court ordered that the provisions be removed from the legislation. The legal challenge was brought by Solidarity, the Alliance…