South Africa is opening more "day hospitals" — healthcare facilities that can offer accessible and affordable private healthcare. according to an article on the Business Day Live website.
There are slightly more than 50 day hospitals in the country, and industry sources reckon the number is expected to grow 10%-15% a year if medical schemes provide the right support, the article said.
The day surgery model has developed in the US, Canada and several European countries since the early 1970s. In 2010, day surgery made up 63.5 percent of all surgical procedure in the US, as reported by the American Hospital Association.
To overcome some costs for these 20-to 25-bed facilities, equipment used by surgeons is rented. Standard equipment, like beds and anaesthetic machines, is purchased.