Investigating the affordability of key health services in South Africa

► The nature of the condition for which health care is sought is a key determinant of service affordability. ► Patients with conditions for which ongoing treatment is required, such as tuberculosis and HIV, face the greatest affordability constraints. ► Greater policy attention must be paid to the frequently high transport costs facing service users, to promote affordability. ► Social grants can play an important role in alleviating affordability constraints.