Private healthcare in times of pandemics in South Africa: Does affordability and class matter?

This paper argues that class and the affordability of healthcare do not matter during times of pandemics.The class and affordability of private healthcare are a privilege only when there are no reported healthcare crises on earth.The middle class believes that private healthcare, which is mainly achieved through the affordability of medical aids, secure employment, and service by exceptional nursing professionals, is an everlasting privilege.This paper utilises secondary data (books, articles, and government documents) to argue that the privilege of private healthcare is often limited by the natural instability that humanity may face at any time in its lifetime, when unexpected pandemics emerge.This paper concludes that private healthcare affordability and class are temporary privileges that can be limited at any time by unstable factors, such as natural disasters and pandemics.This paper contributes to policy in that it highlights significant pointers for public administration and the middle class to understand that, in the context of pandemics, full privileges can be limited, and that public healthcare staff and facilities may play a more significant role in mitigating the pandemic.