The Competition Commission has confirmed it is actively investigating the South African subsidiary of the Indian generic drug manufacturer Hetero. They are looking into potential price collusion. This significant probe centres on the procurement of crucial HIV medication. Specifically, the combination pill tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD) is under review. Most HIV patients in the country take this three-in-one regimen.…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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Ascendis Health Exits JSE and Positions for Growth
Ascendis Health has confirmed its plan to delist from the JSE in the first week of December, following an overwhelming mandate from its investors. This decision marks the culmination of the company’s significant turnaround strategy. Not long ago, it faced the prospect of bankruptcy. A resounding 93% of the company’s shareholders voted in favour of the move. This provides CEO…
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Court Upholds Malotana’s Suspension by Gauteng Premier
Suspended Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) head of department (HOD), Lesiba Malotana, suffered a significant blow. The Labour Court dismissed his urgent attempt to overturn his precautionary suspension. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi suspended Malotana as a precautionary measure in October. The action followed a damning report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This report detailed an alleged procurement syndicate operating…
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Diabetes Crisis: A Public Health Emergency in South Africa
As the diabetes crisis intensifies, civil society organisations are calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the disease a public health emergency. They are demanding urgent government intervention and dedicated resources to combat the disease’s devastating impact. The unified demand was presented this week at the Diabetes Summit. Here, 350 stakeholders, including academics, civil society groups, industry representatives, and government…
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Gauteng Patients Face Alarming Spike in Adverse Events
Gauteng’s public healthcare system is facing intense scrutiny. This follows the revelation that Gauteng patients suffered 7,386 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) in state hospitals between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The figures, confirmed by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, represent a troubling increase from the 7,117 incidents reported in the previous year. Despite thousands of…
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Medical Scheme Tax Credits: Finance Minister Expresses Caution
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has sounded a strong note of caution. The Department of Health’s proposal to fund the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) involves phasing out medical scheme tax credits. Speaking to journalists shortly before tabling the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament, the Minister expressed deep concern over the potential impact on taxpayers. The Department of Health…
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TB Deaths Decline to 54,000, But Critical Treatment Gaps Remain
South Africa recorded approximately 54,000 deaths from tuberculosis (TB) in 2024, according to the latest World TB Report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figures confirm a slow but steady downward trend in TB deaths in recent years. This marks a significant improvement from two decades ago. During that time, the epidemic, fueled by the peak of the HIV…
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AfroCentric’s JSE Collapse Fuels a New Healthcare Empire
As insurance giant Sanlam tightens its grip on health-fin services specialist AfroCentric, the line between public company and private control has all but vanished. What remains is a powerful lesson in strategic patience. It reveals how corporations (or businesses) can methodically turn market neglect into a corporate opportunity. While AfroCentric still technically trades on the JSE, its story is no…
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NHI Funding Plan “Unworkable and Unfeasible,” warns HFA
South Africa’s ambitious National Health Insurance (NHI) plan is facing intense scrutiny. The Health Funders Association (HFA) warns that “uncertainty and contradictions” plague the government’s NHI funding plan. They render it “unworkable and unfeasible”. The HFA has raised fundamental questions about the affordability and sequencing of the NHI. They highlight contradictory timelines presented by the Department of Health in court…
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Cholera Vaccine Trial Aims for Self-Reliance in Africa
South Africa has taken a pivotal step towards pharmaceutical independence with the launch of a new South African cholera vaccine trial. The state-backed manufacturer, Biovac, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), has initiated clinical trials for a candidate oral cholera vaccine. Many hail this development as a crucial move to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported medicines.…
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UK Cuts Contribution to Global Fund By 15 Percent
Britain has announced an £850 million pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, marking a significant 15% reduction in its contribution as the nation grapples with tighter domestic budgets. The pledge covers the 2026-2028 period. The UK government, historically a major donor to the Geneva-based health initiative, defended the decision by highlighting its expected impact. Officials…