ANC proposes new watchdog for private hospitals

The African National Congress (ANC) is calling for the development of a statutory body to oversee private hospitals.

It wants the watchdog to be responsible for ensuring prices charged by the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) in private hospitals are fair.

The Council for Medical Schemes blamed a lack of competition for the rising private hospital fees. It claims that, in 1996, around half of hospitals in urban areas were independent, but by 2006 this figure had dropped to about 12%.

The Minister for Health is said to be looking at ways to regulate public and private hospitals to ensure the system is fair for all.