Netcare Outlines Public Partnership Plans

May 19 - The future of healthcare in South Africa could lie in partnerships between the government and private groups, said the Chief Executive Officer of Netcare, Richard Friedland.

The success of the public private model is being showcased in Maseru, Lesotho with the near completion of the 450 bed Likotsi Clinic.

The clinic was built at a cost of R1.2 billion and Friedland believes that this is the new future of African healthcare.

The government put up most of the capital for the Likotsi Clinic, while Netcare put in only R42 million. Its major contribution, however, was management skills which could result in greater revenue over time.

Speaking to the UK media, Friedland said that there was still a lot more work to be done in the South African healthcare market.

"There is no question that healthcare reform is needed," said the CEO. "There is a huge gap between the 'have's' and 'have-nots' - it's not sustainable and we cannot build a healthy nation without addressing these healthcare needs."

"What I think is positive is that our Minister of? Health, Dr Motsaledi is talking about the key issues that matter which are really primary care - 'let's get the fundamentals and the basics in place, let's look after the children vaccinations, maternal care and the epidemics as opposed to this huge focus on tertiary or hospital care.'," he said.

Netcare supports this message fully, said Friedland, and noted that the group has been running primary care services for some time now. This year alone 3.8 million people were treated.