Concerns are mounting over the Gauteng Department of Health’s persistent legal challenges against court orders compelling it to address the province’s devastating cancer treatment backlog. This ongoing cancer court battle highlights significant issues within the healthcare system. Instead of complying with two separate High Court rulings, the department is channelling taxpayer money into an appeal process. This leaves thousands of…
Category: Archive
Every Health Matters article, newest first. Use the search or browse by month to find older reporting.
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HHS Restructuring Plan Blocked by Federal Court
A US Federal Appeals Court has maintained a block on the Trump administration’s ambitious and controversial plan to overhaul the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This move would have resulted in 10,000 job losses. Additionally, it would have caused a significant restructuring of key public health agencies. A three-judge panel of the Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of…
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Republicans Rein in Kennedy During High-Stakes Hearing
In a significant break with the Trump administration, a high-ranking Republican senator is set to publicly scrutinise the controversial actions of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This move indicates an effort by Republicans to rein in Kennedy amid growing controversies. The move signals a growing effort within the GOP focused on reining in Kennedy and…
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NHI Affordability: Key Issues and Legal Perspectives
Multiple groups are challenging the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. The Western Cape Government is the eighth group to file a lawsuit. A key legal argument in these court cases is NHI affordability. Litigants question whether the state can realistically fund the scheme. This issue forms the foundation of several constitutional challenges against the new law. The outcome of these…
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Discovery Health Reports Profit Amid Shifting Membership Base
Discovery Health has reported a profit for the recent financial year. This positive result comes despite a slight dip in medical scheme members. The company shows strong financial performance overall. Its strategies are successfully adapting to market changes. This ensures continued profitability and stability. The financial outcome highlights a robust business model. Analysing Membership Trends The Discovery Health Medical Scheme…
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Ascendis to Delist from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Health group Ascendis Health plans a significant change. The company will delist from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). It has made a conditional offer to its investors. Ascendis will repurchase shares from them. The market reacted very positively to this news. The company’s stock price surged by 13.4%. This move to delist Ascendis is a key part of its new strategy. The…
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Mediscor Medicines Review 2024: Key Insights Revealed
The Mediscor Medicines Review 2024 reveals a significant 5.0% increase in medicine expenditure. This marks the most substantial rise in the past three years, presenting a complex challenge for South Africa’s healthcare sector. As a leading pharmaceutical benefits management (PBM) organisation covering over 2.6 million lives, Mediscor’s annual analysis provides a critical barometer for the industry. The 2024 report highlights…
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Medical Aid Premiums to Continue Outpacing Inflation
Multiple sources are warning South African consumers to brace for continued high increases in their medical aid premiums. Experts expect costs to keep rising significantly faster than general inflation. The caution comes from Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery, the country’s largest medical scheme administrator. He suggests that the underlying drivers of medical inflation continue to be a persistent challenge for…
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SA’s Health System Under Strain Amid 25,000 Vacancies
South Africa’s public health system is under strain. It is buckling under the immense pressure of more than 25,000 critical staff vacancies, shrinking budgets, and a staggering national debt of R24 billion in accruals. An investigation into provincial health departments reveals a sector in crisis. Dwindling resources are colliding with overwhelming patient demand. This forces the postponement of essential medical…
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Dementia Increasing in Africa: Causes and Solutions
Dementia is increasing in Africa and the Middle East faster than in any other region in the world. This was a stark warning highlighted at the 17th International Federation on Ageing (IFA) conference, held for the first time on African soil in Cape Town. However, the resounding message from global experts is one of hope and empowerment. Up to 45%…
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Microneedle Eyedrop Delivery System an alternative to eyedrops
A pioneering microneedle patch, designed to dissolve upon contact with the eye, could soon replace inefficient traditional eye drops. Developed by a researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), this innovative microneedle eyedrop delivery system holds the potential to revolutionise treatment for millions facing vision loss. This is particularly impactful in underserved communities across Africa. The invention is the…
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Kempton Park Hospital Security Under Public Scrutiny
The Gauteng health department is under fire for spending more than R35 million on security guards at the derelict Kempton Park Hospital. This facility has stood empty and abandoned for nearly three decades. Despite the exorbitant cost of Kempton Park Hospital’s security, the building has been ravaged by vandals. It has been stripped of its fittings and covered in graffiti,…