Destination SOUTH AFRICA
Why we consider South Africa for medical tourism
South Africa has been considered a global leader in medicine since the first human heart transplant was performed in Cape Town in 1967. Today, the country enjoys a reputation as one of the foremost medical tourism destination in the world, with the highest standards in medical care, healthcare research and technology. With well- equipped, modern health care facilities, South Africa has become a hub for medical treatment in Africa â with expertise, professionalism & a healthcare infrastructure that is unrivalled on the continent.
Key strengths of South Africa for Medical Tourism
- Â Widely accessible healthcare.
- World-renowned surgical expertise.
- High-quality health tourism packages.
- Â Widely-spoken English.
- Â Strong government support for healthcare infrastructure.
- Â Abundance of quality private healthcare.
- Â Relatively inexpensive medical treatment compared to Europe & North America.
- Â Private clinics and hospitals located in comfortable, upscale areas.
- Â First-class surgeons.
Information for Travelers to South Africa
General Information
Cities In South Africa
Vaccine
Visa Requirements
General Information
Capital and largest city:
Other large cities:
Monetary unit:
Exchange rate:
Languages:
International Dialling Code:
Pretoria
Johannesburg; Ekurhuleni; Durban
Rand
USD 1 = Rand 16.86
IsiZulu 22.7%, IsiXhosa 16%, Afrikaans 13.5%, Sepedi 9.1%, English 9.6%, Setswana 8%, Sesotho 7.6%, Xitsonga 4.5%, siSwati 2.5%, Tshivenda 2.4%, isiNdebele 2.1%, other 1.6%
Note: English is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication.
+33
Type C
- 2 pins
- Not grounded
- 2.5 A
- Almost always 220 â 240 V
- Socket compatible with plug type C
Type D
- 3 pins
- Grounded
- 5A
- 220 â 240 V
- socket compatible with plug types D, (Partial and unsafe with C,E and F)
Type M
- 3 pins
- Grounded
- 15 A
- 220 â 240 V
- Socket compatible with plug type M
Type N
- 3 pins
- Grounded
- 10 A & 20 A
- 100 â 240 V
- socket compatible with plug types C&N.
Map
Vaccine
Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor (ideally, 4-6 weeks) before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All Travellers
Routine – Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine,
Vaccines – diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
Most Travellers
Hepatitis A – This vaccine is recommended because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Thailand, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
Thyphoid – You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Thailand. This vaccine is recommended for most travellers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Some Travellers
Hepatitis B – You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so this vaccine is recommended if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.
Yellow Fever – There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa. The government of South Africa requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Check this list to see if you may be required to get the yellow fever vaccine: Countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission. For more information on recommendations and requirements, see yellow fever recommendations and requirements for South Africa. Your doctor can help you decide if this vaccine is right for you based on your travel plans.
Malaria – Talk to your doctor about how to prevent malaria while travelling. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, especially if you are visiting low-altitude areas. See more detailed information about malaria in Thailand.
Rabies – Rabies is present in bats in France. However, it is not a major risk to most travellers. Rabies vaccine is recommended for only these groups:
- Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for bat bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
- People who will be working with or around bats (such as wildlife professionals and researchers).
South African Visa for Medical Purposes
- A duly completed BI-1738 application form
- A passport with at least 1 free page for a visa.
- The passport must be valid for 30 days after end of the intended visit
- Payment of the prescribed fee.
- Proof of financial means to cover your day to day expenses as well as those of persons accompanying you (the medical permit holder), if any, in the form of:
- bank statements,
- cash available,
- or travellersâ cheques.
- A letter from your medical practitioner or a medical institution, indicating the reasons/ necessity for treatment, the period of treatment and particulars of the treatment plans in the Republic of South Africa.
- Details of the person or institution responsible for your medical expenses and hospital fees.
- Should your medical scheme or employer not be liable for expenses incurred, proof of financial means or medical cover must be submitted.
- Proof of sufficient financial means or provision for the costs indirectly related to the treatment.
- Particulars of persons accompanying you.
- A copy of a return or onward air ticket.
- Kindly note that the Department may request a cash deposit equivalent to the value of an air ticket to the country of your origin or residence.
- A vaccination certificate, if required by law.
Service Providers In South Africa
Hospitals
Airlines
Accommodation
Health Insurance
Bankng
Groote Schuur Hospital (Cape Town)
Groote Schuur is an internationally-acclaimed teaching hospital attached to the University of Cape Town (UCT). The facility is most famous as the site where the first human-to-human heart transplant took place, performed by the UCT-trained surgeon Chris Barnard. Groot Schuur is world-renowned for its trauma unit, anesthesiology &Â internal medicine departments, attracting not only patients from all over the globe â but scores of medical students, residents & specialists each year who come to gain experience in their particular field.Â
A medical posting to Groote Schuur is a highly-coveted & prestigious position â and a major boost to a physicianâs career. Such is the level of regard in which the institution is held. Groote Schuur houses some of the most advanced medical technology on the planet â and is equipped to handle a broad range of difficult medical cases & procedures. It is arguably Africaâs foremost hospital.
South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier of South Africa. It is one of the continentâs largest Africaâs airlines. Founded in 1934, the carrier operates an extensive network of flight routes throughout Africa, North & South America, Asia, Australia & Europe. SAA was admitted to the Star Alliance in 2006.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel (Cape Town )
A 14-minute walk from Cape Townâs city center, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is an iconic, villa-style luxury 5-star hotel. Situated near the renowned V & A Waterfront & some of Cape Townâs best beaches, the facility is a posh, urban sanctuary overlooking the cityâs vibrant cultural hub. Rooms come with marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks & free WiFi. Some have mountain views & may have lounge/dining areas, kitchenettes, balconies or private courtyards. Thereâs also a gym, 2 outdoor pools & a wellness spa.
Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (Cape Town)
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is an award-winning establishment situated in one of Cape Townâs most scenic areas. Flanked by the Twelve Apostles mountain range & the legendary Table Mountain, the hotel boasts stunning, picturesque views of nature. Adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, it enjoys an atmosphere of majestic tranquility few places can rival.
Rooms are spacious, with guests having Twin or Double options. Twelve Apostles & Spa has 3 restaurants:
- The CafÃĐ Grill
- Tea by the Sea
- Azure Restaurant
Some of the more popular amenities include free WiFi, free breakfast & a pool.
Cape Grace (Cape Town)
Situated on a private quay, nestled between the harbor of Cape Townâs bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront & the serenity of an international yacht marina, Cape Grace showcases the essence of the Western Cape with designs that reveal local creativity, while staying true to the warm atmosphere and personalized levels of service that have for years defined the hotel.
With a genuine passion for providing memorable guest experiences, Cape Grace is dedicated to exceeding expectations. The preferred choice for international travellers, Cape Grace is centrally located, with quick and easy access to the airport, city centre and popular tourist destinations.
Amenities include a spa, pool, free breakfast & limited free WiFi. The Metropolitan Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away, for which guuests can make use of the hotelâs luxury BMW transfer service, which is free within a 10 km radius.
Discovery Health
South Africaâs largest medical scheme, Discovery Health provides cover for more than 2.8 million customers. It provides long & short-term insurance, asset management, savings, investment & employee benefits through its different products & brands. The company offers over 23 medical aid options to suite various income brackets & coverage preferences. With a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Discovery has subsidiaries in several countries â including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore & Australia.
Essential Med
Founded in 2005, EssentialMed offers a range of health insurance services within the South African market. Cover options include accident & emergencies, hospital, life & funeral, group cover & day to day medical care coverage among others. The company prides itself on its versatility, providing options which are customized according to client needs. EssentialMed is part of the AfroCentric group of companies.
First National Bank
FNB is one of the three major divisions of the First Rand Group, one of the 3 largest financial services companies in South Africa. It is also one of the largest on the continent, with operations in Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana & Lesotho among others. FNB has won acclaim for its services, including being named the worldâs most âinnovative bankâ in 2012, and a 4th place global ranking for its banking app in 2015.
Ecobank
Today, Ecobank is the leading pan-African bank with operations in 36 countries across the continent. It has a larger African footprint than any other bank in the world. Ecobank currently operates in countries in West, Central, East and Southern Africa, namely Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, CÃīte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Group also has a licenced operation in Paris and representative offices in Beijing, Dubai, Johannesburg, London and Luanda.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel (Cape Town )
A 14-minute walk from Cape Townâs city center, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is an iconic, villa-style luxury 5-star hotel. Situated near the renowned V & A Waterfront & some of Cape Townâs best beaches, the facility is a posh, urban sanctuary overlooking the cityâs vibrant cultural hub. Rooms come with marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks & free WiFi. Some have mountain views & may have lounge/dining areas, kitchenettes, balconies or private courtyards. Thereâs also a gym, 2 outdoor pools & a wellness spa.
Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (Cape Town)
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is an award-winning establishment situated in one of Cape Townâs most scenic areas. Flanked by the Twelve Apostles mountain range & the legendary Table Mountain, the hotel boasts stunning, picturesque views of nature. Adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, it enjoys an atmosphere of majestic tranquility few places can rival.
Rooms are spacious, with guests having Twin or Double options. Twelve Apostles & Spa has 3 restaurants:
- The CafÃĐ Grill
- Tea by the Sea
- Azure Restaurant
Some of the more popular amenities include free WiFi, free breakfast & a p
Cape Grace (Cape Town)
Situated on a private quay, nestled between the harbor of Cape Townâs bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront & the serenity of an international yacht marina, Cape Grace showcases the essence of the Western Cape with designs that reveal local creativity, while staying true to the warm atmosphere and personalized levels of service that have for years defined the hotel.
With a genuine passion for providing memorable guest experiences, Cape Grace is dedicated to exceeding expectations. The preferred choice for international travellers, Cape Grace is centrally located, with quick and easy access to the airport, city centre and popular tourist destinations.
Amenities include a spa, pool, free breakfast & limited free WiFi. The Metropolitan Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away, for which guuests can make use of the hotelâs luxury BMW transfer service, which is free within a 10 km radius.