A comparative analysis of the right to health care in the public sector and private sector in South Africa

Abstract

In a world where rights play an important role in the welfare of people, mere knowledge of the rights is not necessary but a clear understanding and appreciation of the nature of rights is essential. One of the most important rights which people are oblivious about is the right to health care services. From the face of it, the right to health care services seems to be an unsophisticated right which everyone understands and appreciates. However, this right, has far more implications than one may immediately perceive. Ideally, the right to health care services should be available to everyone as it concerns the welfare of people. This work will firstly study how the division between the private and the public health care sector affects the way in which the right to heath care is afforded to individuals in South Africa. In this regard, the cost, quality and affordability of the health care services will be considered. The work will then study the gap that is created between the poor and the rich because of the division between the private and the public health care sector. The Act will also study the connection that exists between the right to health care services and the founding principles of the South African Constitution. The researcher?s objective is to reconcile the private and the public health care sector to ensure that there is realisation of the right to health as provided for by the South African Constitution.