Few Limpopo, Eastern Cape residents able to afford medical aid
A number of individuals covered by a medical aid scheme in the country between 2002 and 2017 increased marginally from 15,9% to 16,9%.
According to the Statistics South Africa's General Household Survey 2017 report nearly 23,3% of South African households had at least one medical aid scheme member.
Doctor Isabelle Schmidt says less than 10% of people in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape can afford private health care.
"Only 9,9% of Easter Cape citizens have access to medical aid while Limpopo is standing at 8,3%," says Schmidt.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi gazetted the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill on Thursday – meaning a national health insurance scheme is one step closer to becoming a reality.
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Schmidt adds nearly 55% of the South Africans are they are satisfied with the public health care system while 27% are somewhat satisfied.
However, residents of the North West, Western Cape, Free State and the Northern Cape are very dissatisfied with the quality of public health services.
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