South Africa
Insurance for Expats in South Africa
Overview
South Africa is located at the southern tip of the African continent. It also includes a small, sub-Atlantic archipelago of the Prince Edward Islands. The geography of South Africa is vast scrubland in the interior, the Namib Desert in the northwest, and tropics in the southeast. The government system is a republic; the chief of state and head of government is the president. South Africa has a mixed economy in which there is a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation.
South Africa’s Health Care System and Health Insurance
One of South Africa’s major public health worries is equal access to health care facilities for all citizens across the country. There is currently a division among the population, between those who can afford private health insurance and obtain state-of-art services, and others who depend on the public health system and endure long waiting lines and receive relatively basic medical treatment. South African Private healthcare facilities are deemed on par with international standards, providing modern equipment with internationally trained staff.
As well as inequality in accessing adequate healthcare, South Africa’s population is struggling with one of the highest epidemics of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the world, this is a major worry for expats wanting to purchase medical insurance here. In response to these concerns, the South African Government is undergoing a healthcare transformation, including the endorsement of a health care reform that aims to expand access to medical facilities and improve health promotion initiatives
The private health care system in South Africa is what the majority of what expats will use and well-known for its state-of-the-art services and ranked as the best country to receive private medical care within the African continent. Expats in South Africa as a result opt for private healthcare services managed by large hospital groups including Medi-Clinic, Life Healthcare, and International SOS.
The costs involved in covering emergency air transportation within the African continent and abroad are very expensive. As such, expats in South Africa are strongly encouraged to obtain some form of South Africa health insurance, to ensure ease of access to health and medical facilities within South Africa including air transportation and medical evacuation services.
Travel Insurance in South Africa
Travelling to South Africa is becoming more and more frequent as its popularity as a tourist destination increases globally.
South Africa accounts for roughly 67 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Around 5.7 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, ranking the highest country worldwide in that regard. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is higher among the female population.
In terms of street safety, expats living in South Africa need to practice high level of caution due to the high level of serious crime. Muggings, armed robbery as well as murders are common in some areas of South Africa. Expats should also be cautious while traveling by car due to the high frequency of car jackings in South Africa.
Life Insurance in South Africa
Expat life insurance South Africa is something that everyone with a young family should look at. It is often the case that the main income generator for expat families in South Africa is one person so the impact on the family should a death occur to this person is potentially catastrophic.
Life insurance in South Africa can allow you to cherish your years more easily without the stress brought on worrying about what will happen to your loved ones after your death. Life Insurance in South Africa will bring additional peace of mind as you take on a new life with new challenges to face.