There are different types of healthcare systems all over the world. In this article we focus on different African countries that we have worked in and how their healthcare systems differ from one another or whether they even offer any form of healthcare at all. People often think of Africa as one place, but forget that all the countries in Africa have different traditions, religion, political views, healthcare systems, diverse use of medicine, etc.
When it comes to healthcare, the type of healthcare sector often leads to whether a person survives or not, depending on the condition of the healthcare facility. In some countries the public healthcare sector has such high standards, that it can even be compared to another country’s private healthcare sector. Or sometimes the public healthcare sector can be so poor that people have no other option but turning to the private healthcare sector straight away.
First of all, it is important to know the difference between public and private healthcare sectors.
Public Healthcare Sector vs. Private Healthcare Sector
The public sector ensures that everybody have access to basic medical care. It consists of general public hospitals, healthcare centres, hygiene institutions.
The private sector allows those people who can afford it, to have a bigger variety of healthcare choices according to their preferences. This includes clinics, private hospitals, specialist practitioners, etc.