Johannesburg – Netcare has announced that it is piloting clinical-grade wearable monitoring technology in general wards at a flagship facility, as part of a broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools across its ecosystem.
The move positions the private hospital group as a continental leader in digitally enabled, data-driven healthcare.
The announcement came as Netcare today, Monday, 25 May 2026, published its results for the six months ended 31 March 2026, revealing strong financial momentum alongside major digital innovation milestones.
Netcare is a leading healthcare provider in Africa, operating an integrated network of hospitals, emergency services, and primary care facilities.
The group’s ten-year strategy focuses on customer-centric, digitally enabled, and AI-driven care to deliver superior outcomes and sustainable growth.
From ICU to General Wards: Wearable Tech Pilot
Building on its successful implementation of a predictive sepsis detection algorithm in intensive care units (ICUs), Netcare is now extending its early-warning capabilities.
The group has commenced a pilot of wearable monitoring devices in general wards, enabling continuous, clinical-grade tracking of vital signs, including blood pressure.
“Subject to the success of the pilot, the intention is to scale this capability across the group,” Netcare said in a statement.
“The planned rollout, which would be the largest of its kind globally, has the potential to materially enhance patient safety and outcomes.”
This move follows the completion of Netcare’s ‘digitally enabled’ phase in 2024, which saw full implementation of electronic medical records across its ecosystem.
AI and Data-Driven Care at Scale
Netcare noted that it is now well advanced in its ‘data and AI-driven’ phase, harnessing more than 53GB of clinical data generated daily.
The group has already deployed a large language model that engages directly with patients, alongside advanced analytics that provide real-time, actionable insights.
“Looking ahead, the integration of generative AI tools will further support clinicians, streamlining research processes and reinforcing Netcare’s leadership in clinical innovation,” the group stated.
These innovations align with global healthcare megatrends of customer centricity, digitisation, and AI-driven care, all central to Netcare’s ten-year strategy launched in 2018.
Digital Dividend: Cost Savings Exceed Investment
Netcare confirmed that the total investment to achieve its digital transformation has been modest relative to returns.
Cumulative capital expenditure stood at R320 million, with implementation operating expenditure of R350 million.
Importantly, cumulative gross cash savings and cost avoidance since FY 2022 have reached R705 million — surpassing the total investment.
The strategy is expected to deliver an internal rate of return exceeding 30%.
“The first phase of our digitisation strategy was successfully completed in the full year 2024, with all associated operating costs now embedded in the Group’s cost base,” Netcare said.
Financial Highlights
Netcare reported Group revenue of R13,281 million for the six months ended 31 March 2026, a 4.8% increase from R12,677 million in H1 2025.
Normalised Group EBITDA improved by 6.6% to R2,501 million, with the EBITDA margin rising 30 basis points to 18.8%.
Adjusted HEPS increased by 21.9% to 71.7 cents, while profit for the period rose 11.9% to R924 million.
“Netcare is encouraged by the strong financial performance in H1 2026, notwithstanding recent pressures within the medical scheme industry,” the group said.
A New Model for African Healthcare
Netcare framed its digital push as a long-term competitive advantage.
“Together, these integrated phases entrench powerful competitive and first-mover advantages for Netcare,” the group noted.
“They redefine how care is delivered, reaffirm our commitment to innovation and clinical excellence, and advance our vision of person-centred, digitally enabled, and data and AI-driven care.”
With wearable monitoring pilots underway, generative AI on the horizon, and a proven digital dividend, Netcare is positioning itself as the provider of choice for patients, doctors, and funders across the continent.
*This article first appeared in our sister publication techfinancials.co.za
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