Health and Insurance in South Africa

About Health Care at the University of the Witwatersrand-Johannesburg

Wits has a well staffed health services clinic to serve its 20,000+ students. It is well equipped, and provides both walk-in services with its nursing staff, and an on-site doctor. Seeing a nurse (they call them "Sisters") will cost 20 Rand ($3.00), inclusive of any medicine that they provide (flu medicine, headache tablets, first and second tier antibiotics). They have a dispensary onsite for these drugs. This is a service of the university, paid for out of the health fee that all registered students pay (included in the IHRE program fee).

All students have been signed up to the Ingwe Health student medical aid policy. In South Africa, doctors usually work for or contract with certain medical aid policies. For medical issues that cannot be addressed by a Wits health services nurse, an Ingwe Health doctor provides consultations at Wits health services from 9am – 2pm every day; an appointment is necessary. Any prescriptions that the doctor writes must be taken to a pharmacy off campus and paid for per the terms of the medical aid policy. There are several pharmacies close to campus.

Please note that the Ingwe Health medical aid is very comprehensive, but is sickness and accident insurance only. It does not cover routine check-ups. The IHRE program strongly advises students to keep their US insurance policy while they are in South Africa. It may be used in an emergency, or if you travel outside of South Africa during the program. And, it would be necessary in the unlikely and unfortunate event that you would need to return to the US for medical care during the program.

Bard College has a blanket medical emergency policy that covers every student traveling on a Bard program.  Emergency evacuation and compensation for loss of life or vital functions are covered by this policy.  Each student will receive a Medex (managing company) identification card including all necessary information during pre-departure training in the US.

Medications and Other Health Items

Almost all imaginable personal hygiene and toiletry products are available in Johannesburg, so there is no reason to overpack this type of item. We suggest bringing travel sizes of your essential bath products and stucking up on what you need once you get your bearings after arrival. Clicks and Dis-Chem are South African pharmacy and cosmetics chain stores, similar to US stores like Walgreens or CVS. A scan of their websites (www.clicks.co.za and www.dis-chem.co.za) may give you an idea of what can be purchased in South Africa.

The program strongly recommends that students bring a six-month supply of any prescription medications they regularly take. While a similar drug should be available in Johannesburg, students will need to undergo a medical evaluation in order to obtain a prescription, and it is not guaranteed that the exact drug will be available (or be prescribed). Prescriptions should be brought over in their original containers with a copy of the presriptions. American prescriptions cannot be filled in Johannesburg, and many of the brand-name drugs are different. It is also a good idea to bring your medical references with you to document any condition you may have.

Women should note that birth control medication is also different in South Africa. While it is available, it will likely not be the same brand you are used to taking. Thus, bringing what you will need is advisable.

Also, taking supplemental vitamins may help keep you healthy as you adjust to a new climate and new diet. They are readily available in Johannesburg, but will not be the brands you are accustomed to in the US.

Additional Online Resources

The US Department of State Consular Information Sheet, South Africa contains further information about health and insurance.