ABSTRACT
The vision for the structure of the health service was laid down in 1994 as part of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) initiated by the African National Congress in preparation for the functioning of the new government. The democratisation of South Africa aims at setting aside the minority control and privilege which had been the main obstacle to the development of an integrated programme. The democratisation process was central and indispensable to the whole RDP. One of the first priorities in the health sector was to draw together all different role players and services into a comprehensive health system. Health services are mainly provided by public and private sectors. The public sector is divided into primary and secondary health care. The private health sector has funders who pay for services, service providers who deliver health care and suppliers who provide equipment and drugs.
