Tensions in setting health care priorities for South Africa's children

Abstract

The new South African constitution commits the government to guarantee 'basic health services' for every child under 18. Primary health care for pregnant women and children under six and elements of essential primary health care have received priority. At present, there is little analysis of the moral considerations involved in making choices about more advanced or costly health care which may, arguable, also be 'basic'. This paper illustrates some of the tensions in setting priorities for a just macro-allocation of children's health care, given the realities for need and scarce resources, and the commitment to equality of basic opportunities.