Access to healthcare shouldn’t depend on your postcode or your pocket.
Yet across South Africa, thousands of people delay getting medical help because of cost, distance, or long waiting times.
A recent review found that over 80% of South Africans postpone care and the consequences are serious: late diagnoses, preventable complications, and unnecessary hospital visits.
At CareFirst, we believe that everyone deserves quality healthcare and technology can make it possible.
💸 Why So Many People Delay Care
⏰ The Wait
Public clinics are overcrowded and under-resourced.
Studies show that 83% of patients at primary healthcare facilities face long waiting times often 2–4 hours before seeing a doctor.
In Gauteng, community clinics average between 168 and 209 minutes per patient, far above the Department of Health’s 120-minute target.
(Source: PLOS ONE, PMC Journal)
These delays discourage patients from seeking help until it’s urgent leading to higher costs and poorer outcomes.
🚗 The Distance
For many South Africans, getting to a doctor means a full day’s effort.
One in three people report that transportation is a major barrier they arrive late, miss appointments, or skip them entirely.
(Source: BMC Public Health)
In rural and informal settlements, healthcare facilities are often kilometres away, and public transport is limited or unreliable.
(Source: PMC Study on Access to Care)
💰 The Divide
Healthcare inequality runs deep.
Only 17% of South Africans have private medical insurance, leaving the remaining 83% reliant on the public system which already supports over 50 million people on less than half of the total health budget.
(Source: IDP Journal)
This imbalance means longer queues, limited staff, and delayed treatments for those who can least afford to wait.
💙 What CareFirst is Doing About It
We’re rethinking how healthcare can work for everyone.
By combining smart technology, medical expertise, and accessible pricing, CareFirst removes the barriers that keep people from getting help.
🩺 1. Virtual Consultations
Skip the travel, skip the queues.
Connect with licensed doctors instantly from your phone, anytime, anywhere.
📱 2. Free Vital Scans
Using your phone’s camera, measure key health metrics like heart rate, oxygen levels, and stress in under a minute.
No equipment needed.
Try your first scan for FREE with code CareFree → patient.care-first.co.za/sign-in
💳 3. Affordable Bundles & Payment Plans
Buy healthcare bundles at discounted rates or spread your payments monthly.
It’s care that fits your budget not the other way around.
🌍 The Bigger Picture
We’ve already expanded access beyond South Africa, with CareFirst now live in Botswana, and we’re just getting started.
Our vision is simple: healthcare that’s accessible, affordable, and powered by innovation not infrastructure.
Because no one should have to choose between getting help and getting there.
Join 10,000+ South Africans going CareFree 💙
Skip the wait times and long drives, get real care in real time. Fast, affordable, and powered by technology.