Johannesburg - South Africans are paying more for healthcare but receiving poorer outcomes, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.
"In South Africa, we still think little of primary healthcare," he said at the annual Competition Commission conference.
"While premiums (of medical aids) are increasing, patient care is declining."
He said that due to the global economic crisis, many countries were tempted to reduce social services, especially health.
"Health is a public good and not just any other commodity.
"I don't know any minister of health in the world who is not worried about the affordability of healthcare."