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Johannesburg - Cost is a significant barrier to healthcare in South Africa, much more so than any other market surveyed in the first Future Health Index (FHI) released by Philips.
The FHI explores how countries around the world are positioned to meet long-term global health challenges through the integration of health systems and the adoption of connected care technologies.
South Africa received an overall score of 56.7 out of a possible 100, highlighting the need for a concerted effort to increase access to healthcare, according to the report. SA’s rating is based on low access to healthcare resources, but a high adoption of connected care technology. The cost of healthcare came out as one of the top barriers to coordinating healthcare further in South Africa.
South Africa’s healthcare system is one of the lowest-rated by its patients among the 13 countries surveyed. South Africa ranked 8th out of 13 countries in the FHI, which focuses on three factors to help countries become better poised to meet current and future healthcare challenges. These are access to healthcare, integration of the current health system and the adoption of connected health technology and systems.
"The results of the survey highlight the need for a more concerted effort to increase access to healthcare, and conversely indicate a stable performance on healthcare integration, and above average performance on connected care technology adoption," the index found.
Improving access to healthcare services was indicated by health care providers (HCPs) and patients as something the SA government should prioritise to improve public health.
Additionally, both patients and HCPs think the SA government should build and improve hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Limited resources, a lack of staff and education were named as current challenges which impact healthcare access in SA.
The need for integration became apparent in the research as 77% of patients reported having to repeatedly provide the same information to multiple doctors.
“The Future Health Index has uncovered a number of significant areas where our healthcare system must transform if we are going to succeed in delivering long-term value-based care,” said Ntutule Tshenye CEO of Philips South & Southern Africa.
“It is encouraging to see South Africa starting from a reasonably strong position in its readiness to adopt connected digital technologies that will ultimately drive transformation.”
