Which levels of facilities are included in South Africa's public health system?

• A. Secondary hospitals and primary hospitals only
• B. Tertiary hospitals and primary hospitals
• C. Primary hospitals, secondary hospitals, and tertiary hospitals
• D. Only tertiary hospitals

Answer: (C)

South Africa’s public health system operates across three levels of facilities: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary care is the entry point and includes clinics and community health centers that provide basic and preventive services. When more advanced or specialized care is needed, patients move to secondary hospitals, which offer more complex services at the district level. For highly specialized or complex treatments, tertiary hospitals provide advanced procedures, teaching, and research, and often serve as national referral centers. Including all three levels reflects the full public system, whereas focusing on only one level misses the broader continuum of care.