The study of political tolerance in the South African context

South Africa with its heart transplants uses some of the most sophisticated medical technology in the world. At the same time, with 250 per thousand babies dying in their first year of life in some rural areas the Republic's infant mortality rate ranks it far down in the world scale. South Africa is one of the few countries exporting food yet within her borders malnutrition is rife. For those concerned with the health of people it is clear that the allocation of resources needs to be investigated. A recent conference in Cape Town on the economics of health care attempted to do just that when some 150 doctors, nurses, social scientists and others from different parts of Southern Africa met for a week to discuss some of the issues. This article is a summary of the main points in the 75 papers presented at the conference.