Concern has been expressed by leading cardiologists in Africa about the lack of preparedness of healthcare services on this continent in relation to the management of non-communicable diseases and, specifically, cardiovascular disease.1 This may be attributable to a paucity of surveillance data and registries, a shortage of physicians and cardiologists, interventional measures not being in place, inadequate diagnostic capabilities, and misguided opinions, as reported.2

From the South African 2011 census,3 we know that low household income compounds the problem of inadequate healthcare provision, and also lack of transport to facilities where optimal care can be provided timeously. Public sector clinic services are utilised by 61.2% of households, public hospitals by 9.5%, and private hospitals, private clinics and other services by only about 5% of households. A disparity is evident between the health facility used and the population group, in that 17% of black South Africans versus 88% of white and 64% of Indian households visit private health facilities.