Expats will have a multitude of options when it comes to both public and private healthcare in Cape Town. However, with government hospitals being largely understaffed and underfunded, most expats use Cape Town's private healthcare facilities.

Basic consultations with general practitioners are generally affordable, but costs can quickly escalate with even the slightest complication.  For this reason, it's highly recommended that expats take out private health insurance, which South Africans commonly refer to as 'medical aid'. An assortment of local and international service providers offer different schemes; some are completely comprehensive, while others provide basic hospital cover for emergencies.

Below is a list of recommended hospitals in Cape Town.

Private hospitals in Cape Town

Mediclinic Constantiaberg
www.mediclinic.co.za
Address: Burnham Road, Plumstead

Melomed Tokai
www.melomed.co.za
Address: Corner Main & Keysers Road, Tokai

Netcare UCT Private Academic Hospital
www.netcarehospitals.co.za
Address: D18 Anzio Road, Observatory

Mediclinic Cape Town
www.mediclinic.co.za
Address: 21 Hof Street, Oranjezicht

Further reading

►For more on the country's health system, see Healthcare in South Africa

Expat Interviews

"I've experienced both the public and private healthcare systems in South Africa. To be honest, the service I received at a public hospital was much better than in the private sector. I probably only have experience of one of the better public hospitals though, I've heard horror stories from other people. It’s probably a good idea to have private health insurance." Read more about Shantalie's experience of life in Cape Town. 

Are you an expat living in Cape Town?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Cape Town. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.

Expat Health Insurance

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Cigna Global

If you’re thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family.

Get a quote from Cigna Global

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