The current minister of health in South Africa is Dr Joe Phaahla, with his deputy being Sibongiseni Dhlomo. The appointment came after a reshuffling of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet and also following the incident with the former minister of health, Zweli Mkhize.
What is the role of the Minister of Health in South Africa?
The Minister of Health is in charge of the Department of Health. They implement health policies and are also responsible for the entire structure of the public health system. As a country with one of the highest rates of people living with HIV/AIDS, the minister of health must ensure that the spread of the virus is drastically reduced and that the infected receive optimal healthcare.
What is the tenure of office of the minister of health?
In South Africa, the President appoints a minister to be a part of his/her cabinet. So the President basically controlled a minister’s tenure, meaning the President can fire or reshuffle them. Case in point, the former minister of health, Zwelini Mkhize was placed on special leave after being implicated in a corruption scandal that involved COVID-19 contracts.
What is the Department of Health in South Africa?
The Department of Health is the ‘executive arm of the government that is in charge of the health structure and the delivery of healthcare services in the country.
How much does public health care cost in South Africa?
South Africa, like many African countries, has a two-tier healthcare system. That is the public healthcare system that makes up about 80% of the healthcare sector and the private sector. The public sector is heavily subsidized and unfortunately associated with low quality. The private sector is considered ”high-quality” with private hospitals, top specialists and the use of more advanced medical technology. As a result, low-income earners and some middle-income earners can only afford to go to public health hospitals, whiles high earners would not want to have anything to do with ”government hospitals” because of the perceived low quality. The government has a subsidized healthcare plan so even the lowest earners can get access to healthcare. However, you may pay out of pocket if you choose to visit a private healthcare facility.
What are the health protocols when travelling to South Africa?
South Africa has a set of regulations for travellers coming to and from the country. We expect you to always wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands & sanitize regularly and also subject yourself to a temperature check. You also need to present a negative Covid test taken within the past 48 hours.
