Breaking Barriers to Offer Evidence-Based Services for Patients with Parkinson's Disease in Gauteng

Progressive neurological disorders constitute a mounting crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa, where Parkinson’s disease prevalence ranges from 10 to 235 per 100 000 people. With cases projected to double by 2030 due to population aging, this represents a significant unaddressed healthcare challenge. The burden disproportionately affects low and middle-income countries, where healthcare infrastructure remains inadequate to meet growing demand. In response to this crisis, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital established the first comprehensive Parkinson’s Group service in public healthcare. This group service was designed as a comprehensive response to the multifaceted barriers faced by patients: increased burden of disease in South Africa, lack of access to healthcare services, poor socio-economic standards of living, technological barriers and health literacy challenges.