Trade in healthcare services by a developing country: the case of Botswana

This research presents an analysis of the health sector in Botswana in the context of a middle income developing country that endeavours to harness benefits from trade in health services. It finds that the health sector is still dominated by public sector provision amidst a gradually developing private sector that is mainly supported by domestic investments. The participation of foreign firms is predominantly through management of local private hospitals by South African hospital groups. Botswana remains a net importer of health services, especially through consumption abroad from the neighbouring South Africa. Nonetheless, import substitution is gradually taking root through the growing private sector that provides services that were previously imported. There remains a significant level of dependence on foreign health professionals, especially specialist medical doctors to augment shortages in the domestic healthcare system. Despite local media reports indicating concerns about Botswana health professionals working outside the country, lack of data impedes the ability to analyse and appreciate the magnitude and possible impact of this movement on the economy and the health sector. The need for further research remains especially on the possible impact of liberalisation of trade in the health sector in order to adequately guide policy. Also, the current inadequacy of data makes it difficult to appreciate the trends in trade in health services, thus, there is need to develop data sets to support analysis and policy debates on the subject.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

GSB: Faculty

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Maiketso, Johnson Tsoro

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cronje, J B

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16596

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/16596