Charter drafters look to narrow the chasm in health-care provision between rich and poor.

(From Business Day (South Africa))

Byline: Tamar Kahn

Charter drafters look to narrow the chasm in health-care provision between rich and poor Targets will be set for bringing blacks into every level of historically white-controlled businesses Science and Health Editor NOWHERE does the gap between rich and poor South Africans loom larger than in health care. The children of the wealthy are immunised, drink clean, piped water and are treated with the best medical technology money can buy, while those born to the poor often die from injuries and preventable diseases simply because they do not have access to basic health services. Only 44% of SA's R76bn annual health bill is spent on the 85% of the population (38-million people) who use public health facilities. Against this backdrop, Health Minister …