Resumo

MKHIZE, Njabulo I.. Critical assessment of health financing indicators and expenditure in South Africa. Health SA Gesondheid (Online) [online]. 2026, vol.31, pp.1-5. ISSN 2071-9736.  https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v31i0.3142.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increased funding and advancements in providing public health services, the health system continues to be challenged by the high prevalence of diseases. AIM: The objective of this study is to review health sector financing in South Africa by highlighting causes for spending pressures in the health system. The study setting comprised the National Department of Health in Pretoria. METHOD: The study employs a qualitative approach by reviewing the literature on healthcare financing and expenditure in South Africa through the analysis of multiple electronic database searches to provide insight into trends and behaviour of health care budgets, expenditure, and health financing indicators. RESULTS: Health financing indicators reveal that South Africa's real health budgets have increased over the past years. However, the increase has barely kept pace with population growth rates. Also, the analysis of the consumer price index (CPI) and medical inflation shows that the costs for medicines and other consumables have, over time, remained significantly above the normal consumer inflation. CONCLUSION: The rising trend in population growth and life expectancy rates suggests that health care funding will need to rise considerably in the next decade as individuals live longer and are anticipated to be given unrestricted access to public health services CONTRIBUTION: This study deepens the comprehension that, while reforms in the health sector and mobilisation of additional resources are essential for tackling disparities and access to health care, it is also crucial to examine and improve the efficiencies in the utilisation of these resources.

Palavras-chave : public health care; expenditure; health financing; South Africa; diseases.

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