Collective Voices for Health Access: Your Right to Healthcare in South Africa
This guide explains the constitutional and legal right to healthcare in South Africa for everyone living in the country,including citizens, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented individuals, and internal migrants. Published by the Collective Voices for Health Access coalition, the document clarifies what services are free, what may require payment, and how to navigate the public health system without discrimination.
Key sections include:
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A breakdown of Section 27 of the Constitution and the state’s obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to health.
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Explanation of relevant laws, including the National Health Act, Refugees Act, and Immigration Act, with a focus on access for migrants and vulnerable groups.
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Clear guidance on free services (e.g., primary clinic care, emergency treatment, services for pregnant women and children under six) and the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule for hospital services.
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Practical steps on what to do if you are denied care, asked for ID, or overcharged.
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Overview of significant court victories against health xenophobia and exclusion.
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Contacts for legal and advocacy support from organizations such as Lawyers for Human Rights, SECTION27, Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, and the South African Human Rights Commission.
The guide also addresses common misconceptions about migrants and the real causes of South Africa’s public health challenges—such as inequality, corruption, and underfunding—while empowering all individuals to assert their right to dignified, accessible healthcare.
This resource is an important tool for advocates, healthcare users, and anyone seeking to understand and claim their right to health in South Africa.