SECTOR EXPERTISE

Healthcare

Strong sector focus that benefits the entire private healthcare value chain

Our long-term relationships, significant balance sheet support and deep industry expertise offer incomparable insights and solutions across the entire private healthcare sector value chain.

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TOTAL DEAL VALUE

$1.2 bn

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DEALS DONE

42

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TOTAL CLIENTS

28

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THOUGHTS FROM OUR LEADERS

Consolidation, acquisitions and diversification will become key focus areas for private healthcare players in the short to medium term

Healthcare is key for any economy and building resilient systems is top priority globally.

Locally, the Private Healthcare sector is facing uncertainty around implementation of the National Health Insurance (“NHI”) that was signed into law in May 2024. Stagnant growth in the private medical insurance beneficiaries as a result of the economic strain felt by the consumer, in turn impacts growth and earnings of the private healthcare service providers.

Growth in health expenditure will continue to outpace economic expansion in South Africa. The key drivers include an ageing population, more chronic diseases, increasing urbanisation and greater utilisation of advanced medical products and services. Private and public health expenditure will increase almost at similar growth rates over the medium term, but the successful rollout of the NHI is anticipated to drastically reduce private health expenditure over the long term.

Post covid-19, key sector players have recovered from an earnings and volumes basis, whilst margins are still lagging pre-covid. This is mainly driven by the weak economic environment in South Africa which leads to stagnant growth in insured lives. Margins are under pressure due to labour and radiology services cost inflation and pressure from funders which has been a key headwind to volumes and tariffs.

There is a necessity for diversification and specialisation in order to achieve growth and maximise on margins for hospital players. Whilst expansion offshore has been a trend in the past, the relative success of these endeavours has necessitated that these companies also look to the domestic market for growth that supports overall sustainability.

Consolidation is inevitable for the small independent hospital players in order to build scale and compete successfully with the major players in the sector. There has been an increased level of corporate activity in the sector on the back of independent hospital players building scale as they prepare for the NHI.

NHI was signed into law in May 2024, with the implementation expected to be completed in two phases. The private sector supports the key principles of NHI which is to provide quality healthcare access to all despite economic background. However, there are clauses on the NHI Bill that have raised legal issues that need to be addressed before the implementation.

The strong prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the continent will be a key driver for investment in pharmaceutical industry.  Post covid, the African continent is focused on investing in manufacturing capabilities in order to provide medicine to the population speedily.

At Absa CIB, we see our role as not only supporting by providing balance sheet, risk management and transactional banking solutions, but also as a trusted partner who is able to provide strategic sector-relevant insights, and a deep understanding of African markets.

Zizile Lephalala

Head: Healthcare and Hospitality

Latest insights

A look at the factors driving change in this essential sector today.

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In conversation with The Biovac Institute

The COVID-19 vaccination coverage is low in Africa, with less than 2% of the 1.2bn population vaccinated. With Biovac partnering with Pfizer to produce about 100mn doses annually, Liza Eustace, Head of Healthcare, Construction and Hospitality Sectors at Absa CIB, spoke to Dr. Morena Makhoana, CEO of Biovac, about his learnings and predictions during this time.

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In conversation with Dischem

To date, Dischem has delivered over 250,000 vaccinations across the nation. Rui Morais, talks about how they have leveraged their extensive network to build capacity for mass vaccination sites in collaboration with government and other private sector players.

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