The crisis within the South African healthcare system: A multifactorial disorder

Abstract

The South African (SA) healthcare system is failing its patients as a result of multiple failures within the system, including a lack of funding, poor staff morale and a low staff-to-patient ratio. These failures are rooted in dereliction of the philosophy and ethics of ubuntu – an African ethical theory. The problems in the system compound one another, which has resulted in the SA healthcare system being in crisis. Solving the crisis requires interventions on several levels, and more research into the specific ways in which the system is failing its patients.