One solution would be for the state to regulate the importation of specialised equipment. Perhaps hospitals see MRI scanners as a status symbol, because everybody wants one. There are more MRI scanners in Johannesburg alone than in the whole of England. Dr Nkosazana Zuma threatening the drug companies with parallel importation from the East. A change in the Pharmacy Act could allow for a deregulation of the industry in the interests of lower costs to the consumer.
Modern society produces more depression and stress-related illnesses, and treatment costs money.
Have your say Mail the editor Further aggravating the situation is our unhealthy modern lifestyles. We've processed and refined our food, we've invented some wonderful additives and interesting toxins and now we're fiddling with nature by genetically engineering vegetables. We're not yet entirely sure of the harmful effects, but we're eating, drinking, and smoking the stuff anyway. Contributional costs will never diminish until abuse of medical benefits is brought to an end. Fraud and outright theft is direct abuse, but indirect abuse is just as destructive.