Inequality in health care services in urban and rural settings in South Africa.
Afr J Reprod Health
; 27(5s): 87-95, 2023 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37584924
ABSTRACT
In low- and middle-income countries, urban and rural settings are distinct communities with the latter being more likely to have limited resources, particularly in health care services. We assessed the inequality in health care services in urban and rural settings in South Africa, highlighting the disparities between public and private health services, given that the latter are located mainly in urban settings. Rural settings suffer the highest inequality in the availability of drugs and supplies, overcrowding of health care facilities, delays in transporting patients, inadequate emergency medical services, and lack of experienced health care professionals. Rural settings also preferentially have a shortage of various levels of health care services, and increased security threats by criminals. In addition to specific remedies, the overarching key to solving these challenges is socio-economic growth, as well as visionary and compassionate leadership with integrity and accountability, which ensures policy development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rural Health Services
/
Health Services
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Equity_inequality
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Afr J Reprod Health
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article