Your Expat Guide to South Africa Health CarePrivate medical care in Cape TownThe facts about the dire state of the public South Africa Health care system are quite unsettling. The high numbers of Aids sufferers, the HIV and tuberculosis pandemic and the terrible state of public health care in South Africa are worrying and much has to be done in South Africa about that. Even if Cape Town’s public health care is not up to the standards many expats are used from home, the Mother City does however offer excellent treatment for all illnesses and diseases to the private patient. There are numerous private specialist clinics and hospital departments which offer first class treatment. Their facilities are modern and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. So to diffuse your worries, here is some important information about South Africa health care and private medical care in Cape Town South Africa. EmergenciesShould you require immediate medical assistance, call 107 (emergency services call centre) and tell them that you need an ambulance. Or you can call an ambulance on 10177.For a private ambulance team, which I would recommend, call either: They are not only have shorter response times, they also are well equipped and have well trained staff.
ER 24 is affiliated with Mediclinic while Netcare belongs to Netcare Hospitals.
The Poison Information Centre at Red Cross Children’s Hospital is available 24 hrs at 021 689 5227.
In these hospitals you will find all the relevant departments from Audiology and Cardiology to ENT, Paediatry and Urology. They have access to the newest state-of the-art equipment and health care professionals who are well-trained and have often trained overseas too.
The private Cape Town hospitals all have access to ambulances and well trained emergency staff.
To read more about Cape Town health and private hospitals please click
here.
The bigger medical centers also are affiliated with the private hospitals like Netcare or Medi-Clinic. The treatment is in general very good and most of the times you can choose your doctor.
If you want to see a specialist straight away and are a cash paying private patient you usually get you appointment immediately and do not have to wait for weeks.
Should you be looking for a general practitioner, dentist or specialist who speaks your language I would recommend you call the embassy for their trusted doctors and check my expat community section for your national group.
In Cape Town there are big pharmacy-chains like Durbell, Dischem or Clicks with a wide variety of over the counter medicines.
There is usually a pharmacist on the premises so you can ask and get advice if you should see a doctor to get a prescription. With minor ailments the pharmacists you are usually if you rely on their advice as most of them are well trained.
Chemist counters are now often found even in the big supermarkets like Pick and Pay or Spar. The medical centers also often have their own chemist section as have the hospitals with their 24 hour facilities.
In the big medical centers you can pay either cash or with debit card or credit card and rarely with cheques.
The doctor’s fee for a general consultation amounts usually to around R270 which is comparably lower to fees you would have to pay overseas to see a doctor. Other fees which are only a general guideline:
• Dentist oral examination: R210
• Pediatrician check up: R400
• Optometric exam/Eye check: R250
• Physiotherapy session 60min: R300
Due to these comparably low prices the health care tourism is booming in Cape Town. There are many practices and clinics which offer special packets to visitors from overseas.
But some areas in the North West, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga as well as the Kruger Park area are malaria risk areas.
In these areas you should take precautions: dress in light colors, long sleeves and trousers as soon as it gets dark, put on mosquito repellent and take your malaria prophylaxis. Taking the tablets might not avert the disease completely, but the malaria will not break out so seriously. Check with a doctor should you develop flu-like symptoms after having visited a malaria risk area.
• Vaccinations: There are no vaccinations necessary for traveling into South Africa, however you should have your vaccinations report card handy and up-to-date. That is, get your tetanus, diphtheria and tuberculosis vaccinations and hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended by many a GP.
• Yellow Fever: If you have visited a Yellow Fever risk area like Tanzania or Kenya in the last six days before traveling into South Africa you have to show proof of your vaccination.
• International Medical Insurance cover: You should also make sure if your foreign medical insurance covers the cost for South Africa health care, i.e. medical treatment in South Africa.
You also will need a proof of medical insurance for your application for a work- or study permit. If you do not have a private cover in your home country it is time to take one out if you get transferred to South Africa.
• International Travel Insurance for expats: And, if you are traveling a lot you should also check with your insurance if they cover your business trip destinations otherwise take out the necessary global travel insurance.
If you want to know where to find reliable South Africa health information and health statistics for South Africa, then please go to my
South Africa Health Resources Guide.
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