Mediworld September-October 2018 LR

Health Destination
Netcare Christiaan
Barnard Memorial Hospital
frica is the world's second largest and second
Amost-populous continent behind Asia in both
categories. At about 30.3 million sq km (11.7
million sq miles) including adjacent islands, this
continent covers around 6 per cent of the earth's total
surface area and 20 per cent of its land area. With 1.2
billion people as of 2016, it accounts for about 16 per
cent of the world's human population.
Africa's average population is the youngest amongst all
the continents; the median age in 2012 was 19.7, when
the worldwide median age was 30.4. Algeria is Africa's
largest country by area, and Nigeria is its largest by
population. Africa straddles the equator and
encompasses numerous climate areas; it is the only
continent to stretch from the northern temperate to
southern temperate zones.
Healthcare in Africa
Overall, the healthcare sector in sub-Saharan Africa
continues to show signs of remarkable growth. The
quality of hospitals and the availability of qualified
doctors have dramatically improved over the last few
years in much of the continent, although this growth is
uneven. By making the transformation from traditional
medicine to a modern and well-structured healthcare
system, many African countries have been able to meet
the growing demands for quality healthcare services
for their people.
Import-dependent medical equipment and supplies
market tops US$3.2 billion as African countries rely on
imported medical equipment and supplies. Africa is a
continent of over one billion people and South Africa is
expected to account for US$34.1 billion, equal to 29.1
per cent of the total for healthcare for the population.
South Africa spends around US$700 per person, while
many countries considered less developed, spend less
than US$50 per person.
In South Africa, despite efforts to transform the health
system into an integrated, comprehensive national
health system, and significant investment and
expenditure, the health sector has largely been beset
by key challenges inclusive of a complex, quadruple
burden of diseases; serious concerns about the quality
of public healthcare; an ineffective and inefficient
health system; and spiraling private healthcare costs.
The government GDP for healthcare is 8.7 per cent of
GDP (latest statistic 2013).
Market Research Future (MRFR)
in its recently published study report
asserts that the already booming
market of African medical devices is
expected to gain prominence over the
forecast period. The market is
forecasted to reach $7,069 million by
the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of
approx. 6.3 per cent during 2017-2023.
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