| |
South Africa Private hospitals perform much surgery better,
faster and cheaper than in Australia and the United States, a study has found.
In the study published yesterday the Hospital Association of SA, which
represents about 75% of private hospitals and clinics, did a comparative
analysis of average private hospitals costs in South Africa, the US and
Australia.
The association's chief executive, Kurt Worrall-Clare, said SA was up to 50%
cheaper than the US and Australia with regard to procedures requiring
hospitalisation. "This confirms that South Africa's private health care
facilities are able to perform procedures such as coronary bypass surgery, hip
replacements, renal transplantation, cataract surgery and others, better,
faster and cheaper than most first-world countries, without any waiting
period," he said. "Not only do our private hospitals subscribe to international
measurement criteria in various disciplines such as organ transplantation,
renal dialysis and open-heart surgery, but they are also determined to remain
abreast of technological advancements and regularly introduce the latest health
care innovations."
Worrall-Clare said on average, the private hospital industry invested R8
billion in health care technology annually - about 45.7% of the sector's
turnover. According to the study the average combined cost of ward and theatre
fees, drug and surgical equipment for an uncomplicated Caesarean section in a
private hospital in South Africa is around R15 431, almost half the R29 445 in
Australia and a quarter of the R58 602 cost in the US. The cost of a
colonoscopy in a private South African hospital, R3 458, is one-third less than
the cost of the identical procedure in Australia, R5 305, and 30% of the cost
for the same procedure in the US, R11 760.
A tonsillectomy is between 53% to 58% less than in Australia and less 10%
of the cost levied in the US. A hip replacement is 77% cheaper than Australia
and 58% cheaper than US. A vasectomy costs R3 883, just 10% of the R39 900
charged in the US. "Statistical evidence also points to better patient outcomes
in South Africa's private health care system for several major procedures such
as organ transplants and joint replacements," Worrall-Clare said.
Morbidity and morality rates in the private health care sector were low,
with maternity mortality in particular being "virtually non-existent".
Patient-days in South Africa's private hospitals are among the lowest
worldwide. Patients return to productive employment far sooner. The average
stay for an uncomplicated Caesarean section is four days compared to 3.38 days
in the US and 5.9 days in Australia.
For further information
Contact us.
Mediscapes Surgery Abroad.
|
back
to top
