Look Out - Here Comes the NHI! Frost & Sullivan Explores the Implications

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 23, 2010 - The proposal for a National Health Insurance (NHI) was without doubt the
most significant development in South Africa's healthcare sector in 2009. The
aim of the NHI is to create universal healthcare coverage for all of the
country's citizens.

(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)

The NHI will have a significant effect on the fortunes of most players in
the South African market, including hospital groups, medical schemes and
medical device vendors. It is however difficult to forecast what the effects
will be, as the structure of the NHI and the potential role of each of these
players has not been clarified.

"This uncertainty is leading to various assumptions and preparations for
a worst case scenario," says Frost & Sullivan healthcare team leader Lizelle
Wentzel. "The question everyone wants an answer to is: 'Will there be a
positive end to this endeavour?'"

To offer decision makers a perspective on the likely implications of the
NHI, Frost & Sullivan will be hosting an online analyst briefing on Thursday,
4 March 2010 at 2:00pm GMT/ 4:00pm CAT. In this briefing, Frost & Sullivan
will investigate a few scenarios that may result from the implementation of
the NHI and discuss their potential impact on the local market.

Any company that has an investment or interest in local healthcare will
benefit from this briefing. This includes the business and financial sector
as well as any medical-related company - medical device and pharmaceutical
manufacturers or suppliers, services companies such as private hospital
groups, and medical insurance companies.

"The mention of the NHI has led to uncertainty in the industry," says
Frost & Sullivan healthcare analyst Lizelle Wentzel." A lack of transparency
as to how the system will work has caused speculation and assumptions being
made by various role players, which has created a need for some kind of
forecast for the impact the NHI will have on businesses."

To participate in this briefing, please email Patrick Cairns at
patrick.cairns@frost.com with the following information: your full name,
company name, title, telephone number, e-mail, address, company website and
country. Upon receipt of the above information, a registration link will be
e-mailed to you. You may also register to receive a recorded version of the
briefing at anytime by submitting the aforementioned contact details.

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    Contact:
    Patrick Cairns
    Corporate Communications
    T: +27-18-464-2402
    E: patrick.cairns@frost.com
    www.frost.com

Patrick Cairns, Corporate Communications of Frost & Sullivan, +27-18-464-2402, patrick.cairns at frost.com