Child health
137 public facilities across South Africa
South Africa's under-5 mortality rate has dropped from 56 per 1,000 live births in 2009 to 28 in 2023, driven by expanded immunisation coverage, PMTCT, and nutrition programmes. Every child under 6 is entitled to free healthcare at any public facility — no means test, no documentation requirement. The Road to Health booklet (issued at birth) is the child's medical passport: it tracks immunisations, growth curves, and developmental milestones. The Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) provides screening, deworming, and referrals at schools, though coverage remains patchy. Malnutrition screening uses mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) — any child with MUAC below 11.5cm is classified as severe acute malnutrition and requires hospital admission.
What to expect
Monthly for the first year, then at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years. Each visit: weight, length/height, head circumference, developmental milestones, vitamin A supplementation, deworming.
Vaccines from birth to 12 years. Bring the Road to Health booklet every time. Catch-up doses available for missed vaccines — there is no maximum age for catch-up.
Weight-for-age and height-for-age plotted on WHO growth curves. Children falling below -2 z-scores are flagged for nutritional supplementation. Children below -3 z-scores are referred to hospital.
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocol: a systematic check for danger signs (unable to drink, persistent vomiting, convulsions, lethargy). Any danger sign = immediate referral.
Who is eligible?
All children under 6 receive completely free healthcare. Children 6-18 also qualify for free care at the facility level. No ID or documentation is required for a child to receive treatment. Bring the Road to Health booklet if you have it.
Read the full guide
Our guide covers everything in detail: step-by-step process, FAQs, and practical tips.
Child Immunisation Schedule (South Africa) →