The 4IR-Health Service Delivery Nexus

Abstract

The delivery of quality healthcare services to citizens is not only a constitutional right, but also the task and obligation of every government. However, bribery, lack of financial accountability and counterfeit drugs, a shortage of human resources, poor hygiene and ineffective infection control measures, and poor medical record keeping have been identified as major challenges for the implementation of a successful public healthcare system. Fraudulent orders, tender irregularities, fiscal dumping, and over-pricing have also been identified as additional challenges. Due to the lack of quality healthcare services, people have lost trust and hope in the African National Congress (ANC). The paper found that to deliver adequate healthcare services, government needs to establish mechanisms that promote efficiency, quality, transparency, and safety. AI is a mechanism that can increase transparency, efficiency, and detect diseases before they become critical. The paper adopted a qualitative research methodology with an exploratory approach.