Deaths from cancer in South Africa are forecast to nearly double, from about 64,000 in 2024 to 127,000 in 2050, according to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) projections. Experts quoted by Spotlight and Daily Maverick link the rise mainly to an ageing population and changing lifestyles. Measuring the cancer burden The National Cancer Registry recorded about 91,600 diagnosed cases in…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Infection Prevention and Control Spending Rises in SA
Rising antimicrobial resistance is pushing South African and African hospitals to strengthen infection prevention and control. As a result, the sector is investing more in equipment, supplies and systems that support safer care. Hospital supplies market expands Analysts project the South African hospital supplies market will grow from roughly USD 0.96 billion in 2025 to USD 1.39 billion by 2031.…
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Medicine Shortages: Experts Call for Patient-Access Measures
South Africa should judge medicine shortages by whether patients receive their full treatment on time, not only by stock figures, according to a recent opinion piece. The author argues that public reporting on patient access would show whether current supply measures actually work. Department reassures on generics On 1 September 2026, the National Department of Health explained that changes in…
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Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026 Awarded for Optogenetics
American Karl Deisseroth and Germans Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for developing optogenetics. The technique uses light to control individual nerve cells in the brain. The Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute announced the award on Monday. It recognised the trio’s discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. Deisseroth, 54, Hegemann, 71,…
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Gender Pain Gap: Women Report More Pain Than Men
A major global study has found that women report more pain than men across every body site measured, adding weight to concerns about the gender pain gap. The gap also means women are less likely to receive the pain relief they need. Published in Nature Medicine, the study drew on data from more than 6 million people in 118 countries…
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Noncommunicable Diseases Cause 74% of Global Deaths
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 74% of deaths worldwide in 2023, up from 58% in 2000, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figures come from WHO’s latest Global Health Estimates, which track life expectancy, causes of death and disease burden from 2000 to 2023. Life expectancy returns to pre-pandemic levels Global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2023,…
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Medical Aid Contributions for 2027 from Discovery and Momentum
TWO of South Africa’s largest open medical schemes have unveiled their 2027 medical aid contribution increases. Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is raising rates by an average weighted increase of 8.2%. Momentum Health is raising rates by 7.9%. Both framed the increases as a response to mounting medical inflation. Discovery: 8.2% on average DHMS contributions will rise between 7.4% and…
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GLP-1 Obesity Support Expanded by Vitality
Discovery Vitality is expanding GLP-1 obesity support as demand for anti-obesity medicines continues to rise among South African medical scheme members. The rewards programme says medication alone may not deliver lasting results. It is therefore adding doctor-led assessments to its HealthyWeight programme, alongside existing diet and exercise support. The assessment may result in a prescription for anti-obesity medication where clinically…
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AI in Healthcare: RFK Jr Wants Patients to Take Charge
US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has set ambitious expectations for AI in healthcare, arguing it should help Americans make their own medical decisions. He wants every American to act as the chief executive of their own health, Bloomberg reported. Speaking at the MAHA Summit on Wednesday, Kennedy said doctors cannot review long medical records in short consultations. A…
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Medical Negligence Claims: Structured Settlements Proposed
The South African Law Reform Commission has recommended scrapping lump-sum payouts for medical negligence claims against the state. Instead, it proposes structured “pay as you go” settlements for public sector patients. In a long-awaited report, the commission put forward two bills. These would let patients and families seek redress through the courts or through a new administrative system run by…
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Medicolegal Liability: Eastern Cape Halves Its Bill
The Eastern Cape’s estimated medicolegal liability fell from R38bn to just under R19bn over five years, according to former health department head Dr Rolene Wagner. However, analysts warn that a smaller bill does not, by itself, show that patients are safer. The province also wants to treat some children injured in public hospitals rather than pay lump sums for their…
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NHI Communications Contracts Face R182m Scrutiny
NHI communications contracts worth about R182m have come under scrutiny after reports that the National Department of Health redirected funding from several health programmes to pay two communications companies. Officials awarded the contracts to KMTV Media and Dots Design Agency in 2024 for a three-year public health communications programme. This programme included National Health Insurance (NHI) and broader health and…