Everyone in South Africa has the right to have access to basic health care services, including reproductive health care - things such as sexual health care, family planning and pregnancy. No one may be refused emergency medical treatment. Sometimes people at clinics or hospital (including administrators, doctors and nurses) are not aware of the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants. You can try to inform them as politely as you can or get some assistance from an organisation such as Lawyers for Human Rights.

South Africa has both a government-run health care system and a private health care system. The government health care system is generally much cheaper than private medical care. The government health care service will be able to provide most services for very little money. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions regarding health care. 

This information was compiled by Lawyers For Human Rights (LHR) and The Consortium For Refugees And Migrants in South Africa (CORMSA). 

I am sick and need treatment. How can I get help?

Whenever you have a health problem you must first go to the nearest local clinic to where you live for examination, except in emergency cases.  If the clinic is unable to treat you or you need care that the clinic cannot provide, the clinic will give you a referral letter to a specific government hospital. Local clinics provide primary health care services for both children and adults. That means they can treat most illnesses that do not require surgery at the clinics.

All consultations, except for emergency cases, are made by appointment. Even when you do have an appointment, you will probably still have to wait for a while so just be patient.

What happens if I need to go to hospital?

Unless it's an emergency, you will need a referral letter from the clinic to get into the hospital. First go to the clinic and see if they can treat you there and if not they will give you a letter to take to the hospital.

What's the difference between a clinic and a hospital?

Local clinics provide primary health care services forchildren and adults. The government runs these clinics and, for the most part,all consultations and treatment offered at clinics are free of charge.  You need to locate the clinic closest to theplace where you live. All consultations, except for emergency cases, are madeby appointment. Even then, be ready to have to wait for a while before you areattended to.

When you go to a clinic, you must take your valid Section22 asylum seeker permit or Section 24 refugee permit.  If you have not received your Section 22 orSection 24 permit, go to one of the NGO service providers listed in this directoryto get a letter to give to the clinic.

After the examination, and if necessary, the clinic willprovide you with medicines which are free of charge.  If you need further medical attention ortreatment that the clinic cannot provide, you will be given a referral letterto go to a nearby hospital. 

Except in an emergency, to access government hospitals youwill need a referral letter from a local clinic.  You must also take your Section 22 or Section24 permit with you.  At the hospital, youwill be asked to pay a fee up front, which is usually not more than R50.

If you do not have the money needed to pay for medicalattention at the public hospital, you will need to either get an affidavit fromthe nearest police station stating why you are unable to pay or get help fromone of the NGO service providers listed in this directory to ask the hospitalin writing to waive the fees.  You willneed to take the affidavit or the letter back to the hospital.

What do I need to bring when going to the clinic or hospital?

Always take your valid Section 22 asylum seeker permit or Section 24 refugee permit when you go for treatment. If you have not received your Section 22 or Section 24 permit, go to one of the NGO service providers listed in this directory to get a referral letter to give to the clinic.

I need treatment but I don't have money. What can I do? 

Most consultations and treatment offered at clinics are free of charge. Once you have been examined, if you need medicines the clinic will provide you with medicines which are free of charge.    

If you are referred by the clinic to a hospital, the hospital will ask you to pay a fee up front, which is usually not more than R50. 

If you do not have the money needed to pay for medical attention at the public hospital, you will need to either get an affidavit from the nearest police station explaining why you cannot pay. You can also get help from one of the NGO service providers listed in this directory to provide a letter to ask the hospital not to charge you. You will need to take the affidavit or the letter back to the hospital.

There is a doctor near to where I live. Can I get treatment there? 

If you decide to get medical attention from a private doctor or a private hospital you will be responsible for the payment of any fees. If you can afford to pay the fees that this doctor charges then you can certainly seek assistance there.

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