DoH – Department of Health

The mission of the National Department of Health is to improve health status through the prevention of illness, disease and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and to consistently improve the health care delivery system by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.

The National Development Plan (NDP) sets out nine long-term health goals for South Africa. Five of these goals relate to improving the health and well-being of the population, and the other four deal with aspects of health systems strengthening.

By 2030, South Africa should have: raised the life expectancy of South Africans to at least 70 years; progressively improved TB prevention and cure; reduced maternal, infant and child mortality; significantly reduced the prevalence of non-communicable diseases; reduced injury, accidents and violence by 50% from 2010 levels; complete health system reforms; primary health care teams to provide care to families and communities; universal health care coverage; filled posts with skilled, committed and competent individuals.